#ft. ruby

Catalina was trying to get over her massive hang over that was pounding in her head, she figured that the best way to do that was get some iced coffee and soak up some sun on the beach. But sunglasses were a must. She was glad when Ruby wanted to come along because honestly she could use the company. She walked along the beach and dropped her bag at a spot the felt as good as any and laid out her blanket, looking around till she spotted Ruby and a smile spread on her face “Hey hottie”

Cain never really understood the appeal of celebrating the coming of the new year, but he understood the desire to drink well enough, spiked coffee in his hands as he watched the various people mulling about. His head shook as he recognized a familiar presence.

“Well, well, well, looks like trouble just strolled on in.” But even Cain couldn’t hide the amused expression on his face, despite his efforts to do so, taking a drink from the coffee mug in front of him. “Not at all surprised to see you here. Staying out of trouble, I imagine?”

if it weren’t for the way leo’s jaw tensed in guilt at the reminder, the scene unfolding could have passed for a lagging connection, his screen frozen. but ruby was too smart for that, having more than enough practice relearning the perception of her brother’s silent queues, to his chagrin. a coping mechanism adapted specifically to shield his feelings and thoughts, of course she would study it to expert levels.

“if you want to ruin your life and throw away your education and do nothing with yourself, you can wait until you’re eighteen. until then, you still kind of have to listen to me.”

the words didn’t sound malicious, her tone steady, her expression calm if not exhausted. but it was still a deep enough cut to compact the guilt further down in his stomach. who else was he supposed to listen to? the relationship with his grandmother wasn’t bad. it couldn’t be, seeing as it was nearly non-existent.

“i’ll go back,” he muttered, lips barely parting to allow for the half hearted promise.

“tomorrow.” she concluded for him, staring straight into the viewfinder to make it known that she wasn’t allowing any room for compromise. she was good at the non-verbals herself.

he huffed then, mostly to himself at the hole he’d dug, but there was always a subtle air of petulance when ruby got parental with him - which, lately was almost every time they spoke. not that much of the speaking came from his end.

a small exhale sounded from the phone and when leo looked up, ruby’s eyes were now cast downward as his had been for the duration of the call.

“i get it,” she spoke softly. “i do. i know that moving so far away was hard on top of harder, but you just have to finish one more year and you can come home.” her voice cracked just slightly at the last word, both of them knowing too well that the childhood home they shared was anything but a home anymore. starting again before either could speak on it, they met eyes for the first time since he’d picked up the call - an angry one spurred on by ruby becoming too privy for leo’s liking to his lapse in attendance after she’d agreed to letting him take a couple of days to himself to let the new school and classes “soak in”. he didn’t think she’d check.

“so just... make the best of it,” she sighed, “keep drawing, keep writing, keep on top of your sessions, and stop making enemies of your faculty, you know better. and it’ll make me happy, and then you’ll be happy when i don’t have to hunt you down and lecture you.”

each tiny smirk mirrored the other perfectly, the dna undeniable between the two for that fleeting moment, and leo knew that ruby knew that she’d won.

“i’ll go back tomorrow.” he relented, earning another smile cast his way.

“good choice. not that you had one. text me when you get there or i’ll start using those baby photos against you. goodnight! love you baby brother!”

AU!Raz Moodbord ?/?? - 1986

“Cause you never think the last time is the last. You think there will be more. You think you have forever, but you don’t.”