#oscby

[beccabeans]

A little Oscby art for y'all. ♡

[phobidawg]

i'm with you // even if it makes me blue ~osby, a playlist by dot :) on Spotify

oscar x ruby

for the very last day of @renegadesnet event 4: osby october, here’s a playlist i made earlier this month! they two make me so happy and i love them to pieces, so i hope you catch all my good vibes fdsklfd

also sorry that they’re both white in the picture, i’m posting this last minute and when i find a better cover i’ll change it. if anyone has any pictures they think would work better please dm me!

happy halloween! <3

[ruby-assassin]

A Bad Dream

This is my swap piece for @everyone-has-a-nightmare the swap was held by me and @narcissacronin

hope you like it!

Ruby ran. Her boot covered feet stomping on the pavement as she turned a corner, pumping her arms by her side. “Help!” Ruby yelled down the streets. She hurled herself over a fence, panting and sweating even though it was a december afternoon. She didn’t know how or why but she could hear Phobia chasing her. His deep voice claiming impossible things, impossible lies in an attempt to stop her. Ruby wheezed out as she ran. “Someone help!” Even though she was in pretty good shape, she had been running for awhile. To think of it, Ruby couldn’t remember when or where this chase had started. All she could remember was the need to run, the threat of sudden death. “Ruby!” She stumbled a little at the yell of her name. She could practically feel Phobia’s creepy hands on her in that moment. She kicked it into overdrive once again as she looked around for who called her. “Hello?!” She called back. “Who's there? It isn’t safe here!” She scanned the alleys as she passed and the rooftops overhead. “Ruby! Are you okay?” That one confused her. “Well obviously not.” She mumbled. “If you’re a civilian you should run! This is a dangerous wanted criminal!” Ruby spotted a couple trash cans ahead, she mentally prepared herself for jumping over them. “Ruby! You have to wake up!” As Ruby leaped over the cans, the voice called out again. It was like the world around her had turned to slow motion. A dream. Of course this was a dream! Phobia was destroyed weeks ago in the old cathedral by Adrian. She was dreaming. It was a bad dream, and she wanted it to stop.

The next thing she knew, Ruby was sitting up in Oscar’s bed. The sheets pooled around her waist as her feet were already out from underneath the blanket from her kicking. She felt hot and damp from sweating, she didn’t notice at first but her breathing was uneven. “Ruby?” She turned her head to the side slowly, finding Oscar next to her. He looked scared, his brows furrowed and his face covered in worry. “Are you alright?” He put his arm that was closest to her around her waist, pulling her in to lean against him. “You were sweating really bad and when i went to turn on the fan you started making these noises and kicking your feet, I didn’t know what was happening…” He pushed his forehead against her temple, sounding as if he was going to cry. “I,” Ruby started but her throat was scratchy, making her cough a little. Oscar patted the center of her back lightly. “I’m fine.” She finally got out, leaning further into him. “I had a nightmare.” She mumbled. The truth was, Ruby had been having alot of nightmares since everything had happened. They usually took her back to being powerless, sometimes bleeding out of her side, sometimes it was her team moving on without her, Oscar never even looking back as they took on new challenges. But sometimes, like tonight, she was running. It didn’t matter towards or away from what but she was running hard. Panting like a dog and wheezing out for help, a pathetic sight in her mind. She could barely remember the dream now, but she knew to her brain that at that moment it was terrifying. “I’m sorry.” Oscar said quietly, holding her against his chest.

“It’s fine.” Ruby said quietly. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” She pushed her face into his chest. Oscar rubbed her back as she leaned into him. “Ruby, are you sure you’re okay?” She nodded against him. “I’m fine now that I’m with you.” Oscar smiled at that, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. No one spoke for a while, just the sound of breathing and the wrinkle noise of the sheets as they moved around. Ruby ran her hands over the hem of the tank top she was wearing, waiting for her breathing to even out. “Are you better now?” Ruby looked up at Oscar as he spoke. “I think so.” She pushed her hair behind her ears. “good.” Oscar smiled. “Now that you’re better we can eat ice cream to calm down.” Ruby laughed at him. “Oscar. It’s,” She turned her head and looked to the digital alarm clock on the nightstand. “2:28 am. Do you think coffee toffee swirl will really help?” She was still smiling as she spoke. Oscar faked offense. “Of course i think coffee toffee swirl is the answer right now,” He crosses his arms over his chest. “it’s always the answer.” Ruby laughed at him, the sound making Oscar smile. “Thank you.” Ruby mumbled and leaned against him again. “Why thank you?” Oscar asked, rubbing her back. “Thank you for being there for me.” Ruby clarified. Oscar just kissed her forehead again. “What kind of best boyfriend ever would i be if i wasn’t there for you?” He asked. “you wouldn’t be.” Ruby giggled. “Exactly!” Oscar exclaimed. “SHHHH! Your mom is asleep!” Ruby shoved a hand over his mouth. “She has to work tomorrow, be courteous.” Ruby crossed her own arms over her chest. “Wow what are you the mom protection squad?” Oscar laughed as she shimmied his way to the edge of the bed, getting ready to go get some ice cream. “Yes.” She said seriously, still smiling. The best thing about Oscar was how much he cared about her. He was always there for her. And she couldn’t ask for anything more.

[renegadestrash]

Oscar: I have a really bad habit of being a dumbass

Ruby: same

[phobidawg]

Couples Skate- Oscby

Word Count- 1320

Ruby hated couples skate.

The strobe lights softened from a boppy rainbow coloring to pink, and Today’s hits changed to some sappy love song. The whole cheesy ensemble made her sick, and ache a little bit with longing.

Not to mention the fact that they were kicking her off the rink.

Moodily, she unclipped her helmet. Ruby watched as Danna forced Nova onto the rink. Danna refused to be kicked out because of some dumb “couples skate.” So ever since they started to come here, she invited (or made rather) whomever was closest to her to be her “date.” Danna always used to ask her, but since Nova joined Ruby had been obligated to sit on the bench until a half-hour of couples only time had passed. The whole situation had begun to make Ruby wonder if Danna really was only bringing Nova so she could skate longer. Either way, it was frustrating.

“Couples only.”

Ruby saw an attendant she didn’t recognize stop Danna and Nova from going on. 

Nova pinked, but Danna looked reproachful. “We are.” Nova flushed a darker red. Danna held up their linked hands for proof. 

The attendant's face grew dark as he pointed them away from the entrance. 

“Are you insinuating that because we’re both girls we aren’t a couple?” 

The attendant opened his mouth angrily, but Ruby traced his gaze to a uniformed man over Danna's shoulder. He shut his mouth, flushing a furious red. His boss. Ruby thought. 

Huffing, Danna pulled Nova onto the rink. 

Ruby silently cheered for her friend, happy she got in even though Ruby herself was stuck on the outside. 

Her view of Nova and Danna doing skating tricks was blocked as Oscar skated in front of her. 

“Bummed about not being able to roller skate?” Oscar looked nervous, a little too uptight for what he was saying.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes!” He was too enthusiastic, but Ruby didn’t question.

“Okay… but yeah, I’m jealous of Danna’s confidence. I want to skate, but I doubt I’d get the nerve to pull anyone in with me.”

“Well maybe, wh- erm- would you consider skating with me? Because I want to skate too…” He trailed off, bright red. He looked over her 

shoulder, and she followed his gaze to see Adiran giving him a thumbs up.

Ruby jumped to her feet immediately, face opening in a smile. There was a faint fluttering in her stomach as she looked at Oscar, which she put down as excitement to get back on the ring. She grabbed her helmet.“Let me help.” Oscar set down his cane. It had taken hours of extra time at the rink for Oscar to learn how to skate with his cane, but they’d paid off. He was now one of the smoothest skaters of the group, even though he needed to take breaks more frequently and often was seen clinging to a wall for balance if he’d been on too long. He reached forward and did the clasps as she adjusted her ponytail. His fingers brushing her jaw sent an ever so slight shiver through her. It’s because we’re breaking the rules. Ruby thought, explaining the shiver away.

“Let’s go!!” Beaming, she took his hand. He stared at their linked hands for a moment, and Ruby added, “Well, if we want to sell it we have to at least make it look like we’re a couple.” The words made the butterflies go off in her stomach again. Ruby was confused, whenever she and Danna had snuck on the rink she’d never gotten this nervous before. 

“Oh yeah, sell it, of course.” Oscar nodded vigorously.

They skated towards the entrance. When they got there, Oscar put an arm around her shoulder and smiled at the attendant. Ruby didn’t know how he could smile like that at the homophobic jerk. If she wasn’t so determined to skate, she would’ve stomped on his foot in her skates. Instead, she resorted to bouncing up and down, looking at the great expanse of the skating floor beckoning to her.

They skated in, and Ruby recognized the song. How could she not? It was one that every child in Gatlon City knew, one that had been a top hit since before the age of Anarchy. 

Oscar looked at Ruby, his excitement rivaling hers.

Ruby and Oscar turned to face each other, eyes bright.

“HEY I JUST MET YOU!” they screamed, “BUT THIS IS CRAAAAZY, BUT HERE’S MY NUMBER, SO CALL ME MAYBE!” They skated backwards, talking into fake phones, laughing and Ruby tipping from unbalance. 

“OOH I NEED YOU TONIGHT, I MISS YOU SO BAD” On so bad both of their voices cracked as they screamed, and they held hands leaning forward and to the side. “SO BAD SO BADBADBADBADBADBBAD”

They music kept going and they sang loudly, dancing, skating and doing tricks. Ruby loved to do cool jumps and jump spins while she skated, but Oscar prefered spins and twirls, which were way easier on his legs than the jumps. Ruby couldn't help but be impressed as he skated and did three complete turns in a row, proceeding to skate out of it instead of fall over or something. In an effort to match this, she skated up to him and jumped, turning in the air, before landing and doing a sweeping leg motion. His eyes widened, impressed and she was satisfied. 

As the song continued, their dancing and tricks went from individual to partner, with basic things like Oscar twirling Ruby, to complicated moves when she’d jump and Oscar would take her hands as she landed and pull her into a two person spin.

  The song ended and they struck poses and leaned into each other, exhausted yet exhilarated. Especially Oscar. She knew that skating wasn’t easy for him with the cane, and with his tendency to tricks. But he loved it, and worked through the pain and hardship.

 Ruby knew a thing or two about that. 

Danna whistled as she skated past, and Nova clapped, winking at Oscar. In fact, a couple people clapped. Only like two or three besides their friends, but it was enough outside attention to make Ruby blush. 

She smiled at her partner. “You were great!” She exclaimed “More than great, outstanding!!”

“You too! You were absolutely insane! That double jump turn you did-”

“And when you span while skating backwards!!” Ruby tried to mimic the move, but ended up spinning out of control and into Oscar. She’s met him head on, pushing him against the wall. Automatically, his arms went to Ruby’s hips to steady her. Her face looked up at his, and she was momentarily mesmerized by the way the strobe lights reflected off his dark eyes and his eyelashes fluttered. 

Until she realized what an improper position they were in- and how dark red Oscar had gone. The realization made her blush as well, but she was hesitant to move away. There was something about this position- not comfortable exactly, but exhilarating. Oscar’s eye momentarily flashed from her eyes to her lips, and transfixed, he slowly began to lean down.

Then his stomach gave a large growl.

Startled, Ruby jumped back. Oscar looked sheepish, and was blushing fiery red once more.

“Are you hungry?” Ruby asked, as if his stomach hadn’t just emitted a noise akin to that of a birthing whale or they hadn’t nearly kissed. 

“Yeah, and I’m a bit tired.” Oscar continued the “pretending nothing happened” train. Ruby softened, thinking that he would do best sitting down with a hotdog.

 “Same. Let’s go get some food.”

“Perfect!” Oscar put an arm around her shoulder again, but this time it wasn’t for show.  Ruby’s heart pounded, but this time she knew it wasn’t skating nerves. Leaning into each other, with maybe a little more weight on Ruby, the not-quite-fake couple skated in sync and left the rink in search of a hotdog.

[phobidawg]

Random Tuckva Banter

A/N I wrote this at 3 am

Random Tuckva Banter:

"So I accidentally set my microwave on fire...."

"You what?!"

"I wanted to see what warm yogurt tasted like!"

"What did it taste like?"

"I don't know Oscar, I set it on fire remember!"

"Oh yeah. That's sad. I wonder what it did taste like."

"I know right?!"

"Hmm..."

"Anyways my kitchen-"

"OH YEAH THE FIRE ARE YOU OKAY?!"

"Oscar CHILL I'm fine. It was only a little one. But the whole house is smokey so I'm crashing on your couch."

"My house is always smokey. I'm literally the Smokescreen, Ruby."

"Haha."

"No seriously."

"Whatever, at least it doesn't smell like my attempts at cooking."

"You're a good cook!"

"hahahahAHAHA. Remember the bean casserole?!"

"I ate it!"

"You eat everything Oscar, it's not remarkable."

"Not everything."

"Oh yeah? Name one time you've been offered food and haven't taken it."

"..."

"I thought so."

"Hey! I feel bullied."

"Oh stop it. So yeah I'm on the way."

"Y-you're just coming in the front door and sleeping on my couch, without asking first?"

"I mean, I'll break in the window if I have to. But yeah that's the general idea."

"Wow."

"I'll take that as 'Yes Ruby, great plan!'"

"Do you have any yogurt left?"

"What?"

"I'm hungry."

"oSCAR."

"WHAT IT'S AN HONEST QUESTION!"

"DO YOU THINK I'D JUST BE CARRYING A RANDOM TUB OF YOGURT DOWN THE ROAD WITH ME?"

"....yes?"

"You're an idiot."

"No u."

"NO U."

"NOOO U!"

"OSCAR MY EARDRUM!"

"RUBY MY EARDRUM!"

"Oscar."

"Ruby."

"You're insufferable."

"You're intolerable."

"Why am I even at your house. I should've just gone to Danna's"

"Because you like me better?"

"No, you have a bouncier couch."

"Do you just go around and sleep on everyone's couches?"

"Mostly you, sometimes Danna."

"Awww, you do like me better."

"Shut up you buffoon."

"Ruby likes me better, Ruby likes me better, Ruby likes me better-"

"*automated voice* Ending call."

*30 seconds later*

"I knew you'd call me back."

"I hope you have used this time to think about-"

"How you like me better than Danna? Yes, I have."

"AAAARGH! That's not what I was going to say! And I will hang-up on you again."

"Rubyyyy that's meannnn."

"It's not mean, you're being rude!"

"I have never been rude in my life. I'm perfectly angelic."

"That's like Phobia saying he likes unicorns."

"You've wounded me! And what do you know about Phobia's past times? You never know, maybe he does like unicorns-"

"Oscar are you even listening to yourself? Phobia, anarchist terror, liking unicorns?"

"I'm just saying it's a possibility! Chill!"

"Unicorns don't even exist."

"Unbeliever."

"Oscar, *giggle*, do you believe in unicorns."

"... perhaps."

"GREAT SKIES I'M TEXTING THE CHAT"

"DON'T YOU DARE.

RUBY TUCKER I FORBID-"

"Ok fine...

I'll just tell Nova."

"rUBY."

"What! She already knows you're an adorable fool, I'm merely fondly sharing another one of your more idiotic moments."

"Two things. One, you're judging me and it's not okay. Two, you guys talk about me and my stupidity? Three, you called me adorable, that's two compliments this whole conversation."

"An adorable fool to be precise. Don't forget the fool."

"Yes, but normally I'm just a fool."

"True. But unicorns?"

"B a c k o f f R u b y y o u b u l l y."

"I'M NOT BULLYING! I FULLY RESPECT YOU AND YOUR UNICORN LOVING!"

"Thank goodness, or I wouldn't be able to invite you to my unicorn themed birthday party."

"*hysterical laughing* Okay I get that was a joke, but I'm so bringing you unicorn cupcakes to your birthday."

"You better. Especially with the glitter."

"Glitter? Done. I've got you."

"Glittery cupcakes really spark-le my interest."

"*groan*"

"What? You don't appreciate my unicorninness?"

"oScAr!"

"You should be thinking yea not neigh to my puns!

"Neig- I mean stopppp. I'm on main street I can still turn around."

"Mane street you say?"

"You're a nightmare."

"RUBY DID YOU JUST PUN?"

"YES SHUT UP"

"AHFKDSL;FJ DAFJKD"

"IT WAS A SPUR OF THE MOMENT DECISION I REGRET"

"FDKSLJ; FJSAFJDS;HAGHADFHDSAGD"

"REIGN IT IN, REIGN IT IN"

"SDJJJJJJJJAKL HFMDHFDDDDDDDDDFFFF- wait is that you?"

"Yes now can you please unlock your door?"

"Sure-"

"Oh wait nevermind the window's open."

"Ruby don't go through the window!"

"TOo late."

*There's a muffled thump as Ruby drops down from the window*

"Ruby!!!"

"Shhhh, can you please bring me down a blanket?"

"I'm on my way."

"And pleasee not one full of your cat's hair. I'm allergic to cats."

"I didn't know! To make up for it, want some cookies?"

"Yes!!!"

"I also have ice cream in the fridge, and I put batteries in the controllers."

"How did I ever think I would be sleeping on your couch, we left our last space invaders round undecided."

"Not for long, you're going down"

"Shows how much you kno-"

*there's a click as the phone hangs up*

~*~

So,

yeah.

My chaotic alignment is showing itself.

I hope you enjoyed this dumb little banter, and if you think it was entertaining I am more than happy to provide more! If anyone has a request or idea (for a full fic or for a banter fic like this) I live to serve!

[ruby-assassin]

Family Time

My secret Santa gift for @nova-artino-is-a-queen

Sorry it’s kinda late and short I got super busy yesterday and had no time to post it, hope you had a happy holiday

Oscar crouched behind the couch, looking around the arm every one and awhile to make sure he hadn’t been found yet. A drop of sweat rolled down his brow, it sure was hot in here. He looked again, trying to find Ruby’s head of black and while hair among the destruction in the living room. No luck. He looked down to the gun in his hands, it was cocked and loaded. His last piece of amo was tucked inside, ready to shoot at his target. He turned his head around the corner again, his head barely poking out when a projectile grazed past him and hit the wall behind him. He let out a noise as he pulled back. “Sweet rot.” he mumbled as he looked at the gun again, scooting towards the entryway to the kitchen that was on the wall that the couch was next to, the only thing separating the couch and wall was a side table that usually held a lamp, but it was missing today. Just as he made it to the entry way he heard feet hitting the linoleum.He pulled back, starting to make his way around the couch. Then, there she was. Gun pointed at his chest, smile tugging at her lips. “Surrender!” She yelled at him. “Look, I'm sure we can figure this out without guns.” He said, though his own hand was pulling his gun up. “I’ll shoot.” He looked back at her hazel eyes. “Why would you do that?” He asked with a small gasp like laugh. “‘Cause mommy said so.” Her lips pulled back to show the gap where her front right tooth usually sat. It’d fallen out this morning at breakfast. “Seriously?!” Oscar asked, not believing her. She was his daughter after all, pranks were in their blood. “Seriously.” Ruby said, stepping out of the kitchen, her own gun aimed at Oscar. “Oh come on! An alliance!” He said to them. “Is that even fair?” The little girl stuck her tongue out through her gapped smile. “Why wouldn’t it be?” She said and as if she had gotten bored with the conversation, put her finger on the trigger. Oscar braced himself for the blow to his chest. He waited a couple seconds but it didn’t come. “C’mon are you gonna shoot me or no-” Before he could finish she pulled the trigger. The foam piece of amo with a suction cup on the end flew out of the end of neon pink and green gun, hitting oscar in the forehead, sticking because of his sweat.

Ruby laughed at him, doubling over in amusement. The small, brunette girl laughed too, dropping her fake gun. “We win!” She exclaimed and high fived her mom. Oscar grabbed the foam dart that was sticking to his forehead, pulling lightly until it gave way and popped off his forehead with a, well, pop. “That was super unfair.” He complains. “All’s fair in love and war.” Ruby proclaims as she strikes a superhero pose. Oscar rolls his eyes with a smile. “Yeah sure.” He said, looking at their daughter. “Well what do you want as your prize, you gremlin?” She smiled at him and tapped her chin as if she hadn’t thought this over already. “I want…...ICE CREAM!” She smiled and jumped up and down as she said it. Oscar laughed lightly and looked up to Ruby. “And what do you want as your prize?” She tapped her chin, becoming the mirror image of their child. “I want…..a date night.” She said, smiling down at Oscar. He smiled back. “I can work with that.”

[phobidawg]

Never Letting Go; Tuckva Fanfic

Word Count- 817

Idk what happened to the text, it got deleted or something, so I just pasted it back in from my doc.

A Supernova AU (written before it came out) where Oscar gets injured in the “big battle,” and Ruby is waiting by his bedside, hoping he’ll wake up. 

TW: coma

Ruby’s face was buried in her hands, and she felt numb. She’d been three days without a real rest, just brief naps. Three days of heartbreak, pain, and waiting. 

A machine next to Oscar started beeping, and she saw something flashing green. She was almost sure the nurse had said that was a good sign.  

Maybe...

Maybe he was finally waking up.

Hope trickled through her as she speed dialed Danna on her watch.

"I think he's waking up."

"Ruby you've called us four times already and it's been a false alarm."

Ruby hung up. She knew Danna would come anyways.

Oscar turned towards her, eyebrows drawn. Her heart clenched. She recognized the signs of a nightmare. He'd been having them sporadically. The nurses said this was a good thing- at least he was thinking lucidly in his dreams. Either way, Ruby couldn't stand to see him like this. A tear trickled as her own mind raced with scenes from the battle.

The smoke and screams thick. Red

Oscar being thrown back by an explosion.

Her running, the world slow. Blood pooling. His beautiful face marred by dirt and blood.

The memory of her own cries ripped through her mind.

Some machine started beeping, and Ruby pushed the memories away.

The door quietly opened, and Adrian and Danna raced to Ruby's side.

No Nova.

Ruby felt a sour taste touch her tongue at the thought of Nova.

Nightmare.

Insomnia.

The paradox.

A small movement caught her eyes. The flutter of eyelashes.

She could feel Danna and Adrian tense. She did herself.

There were no doctors here to witness Oscar awake, or check his vitals. With injuries abound, they were spread far too thin. Most patients were left with their families to care for them, and small amounts of medicine.

Oscar was muttering again, louder.

It sounded familiar.

"Ruby." Adrian whispered. "I think he's muttering your name."

Ruby's heart caught, and Oscar muttered again.

Ruby.

She dropped the uneaten bagel in her lap and pressed a hand to her mouth. Her cheeks were wet again. She felt Adrian squeezing her shoulder reassuringly.

Oscar's eyes fluttered open.

He locked eyes with Ruby and smiled, like she was exactly what he wanted to see. She couldn't believe it.

He was awake.

He wasn't dead.

He wasn't dead.

She started sobbing in relief.

The relief in Oscar's eyes quickly changed to concern. She squeezed his hand tight as she could.

She saw Danna and Adrian exchange a look. Wordlessly, they left, leaving them alone.

Ruby was still crying. Days of grief and anxiety, and finally, her Oscar was with her.

"Oh no, don't do that." Oscar covered her hand with his. She glowered at their hands, sniffling. He lifted it and brushed away a tear.

"Hey, it's alright. You're okay, I'm okay. We're together. See? It's okay."

"That's a lot of okay's for a person who just came out of a coma." She mumbled.

Oscar gulped, and she saw pain reflected in his eyes, She couldn't help it, she started crying again.

Oscar cupped her cheek with his hand. She turned her face so it was pressing into his palm. "I really want to punch you." She mumbled into his hand.

"That's better?"

Now she was laughing and crying. She made a fist and bumped his arm.

"That was hardly a punch." He pointed out.

"Try me, Oscar. You scared me." She said, the words muffled by his hand.

"I scared me pretty badly too."

His hand gently gripped her chin and turned her face towards his.

"No matter what, I will always come back to you." He swore, his joking eyes for once serious. Her heart thumped painfully as she took in the magnitude of the promise. Lifting his hand, she wrapped her fingers cautiously around his.

"And I to you." She swore. Her words did not falter, nor her gaze as she looked into Oscar's eyes. As her words hit him, he relaxed against the pillow. He turned his hand so he could entwine his fingers in hers as he lowered his hand.

She noted how, like her, he seemed to want to be constantly touching- connected in some way.

She wasn't sure what that meant.

Oscar closed his eyes, and she could see his exhaustion. Tenderly she brushed her fingers against his cheek. He sighed and she saw the IV bag was slowly starting to drain.

"I'll be right here." Ruby promised, tucking a damp strand of hair behind Oscar's ear. He smiled faintly, and she saw... relief? Flash across his features.

"When I was-" He broke off, voice heavy. "I saw you. You were why. I kept going and fighting."

Ruby swallowed the lump in her throat. A final tear snuck out of her eye and she bent down a brushed a kiss on Oscar's feverish brow.

"I love you." She whispered, and his breath caught.

She got no response- he was too far gone.

She wondered when she realized it.

The explosion?

The wait?

Just now?

Was that truly what it took- a near death experience for her to understand?

Whatever the case, Ruby knew one thing as she sat back, gently holding Oscar's hand in hers.

She was never letting go.