#oscby

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.”

"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.

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.