#ruby x regina

Prince Henry, seventh son of Xavier, never forgave himself for his initial inability to recognize Cora’s manipulations for what they were. Given free reign to practice her dark magicks, she slowly succumbed to its insidious influence and gradually transformed into a hideous monstrosity who repeatedly abused their daughter.  His guilt only deepened after Cora returned from exile in Wonderland and put his daughter and daughter-in-law through the proverbial wringer.  Even so, until the very end he harbored a soft spot for the miller’s daughter whose audaciousness won her the hand of a prince and a title to go along with him. 

Some infinitesimally small part of Regina sympathizes with her father’s plight.  No matter how much hurt she endured, she still cared about the heartless witch she called mother and always would.  Unlike her father, however, that did not stop her from doing what was necessary.  Executing her mother was the hardest thing she ever did.  It was also the most righteous.  The unerringly selfish woman more than deserved to die.  For far too long Cora had escaped her just dues, and beyond that Regina wasn’t about to let her get away with all she had done to Red.  The universe itself demanded satisfaction for her many atrocities.  Hell, even her ludicrously merciful husband grudgingly recognized the justice in crushing that coal black heart into dust.

"What if he doesn't like me?"

The whispered question pulled Regina's mind from the edge of sleep and she rolled over in bed, instinctively reaching out to pull Ruby closer to her.

"Everyone likes you," she mumbled, closing her eyes and breathing in the scent of her girlfriend, already feeling sleep trying to reclaim her.

"I'm serious Regina, this could be a disaster. I mean, I'm a werewolf! There's no way he's..."

"Shhhh," Regina interrupted, pressing her lips to Ruby's to silence her with a kiss.

"Shh. It'll be fine. It might take a little time, granted, but it'll be fine. Now go to sleep."

Ruby sighed and nuzzled her face into the crook of Regina's neck, making her smile.

Honestly. Who would have guessed that the Big Bad Wolf could be such a pussycat?

~~~~~~~~~~

"Henry, you've got to put him down at some point!"

"But mom, he's so soft!"

"Come on, buddy, let him walk around," Ruby said with a smile. She reached over to the puppy to try and pet him, frowning when it sniffed her hand and recoiled. "He keeps sniffing the air, he wants to explore."

"I guess," he sighed, hugging the pup a bit tighter before setting him on the ground. "There you go, buddy. Your new home!"

The puppy walked around, little nails clicking on the floor as he investigated the living room.

"I think he likes it," Henry smiled.

Regina and Ruby shared a smile, watching the little puppy trot around the room, nose to the ground. He bumped headfirst into a wall and started sniffing at it, quickly turning to the side and lifting his leg.

"No no no," Regina said, running to pick him up, the puppy already done by the time she got there. He gave a little wiggle of his tail and a bark, and she sighed. "Thank goodness for magic." A quick wave of her hand and the puddle was cleaned. "Henry...He's your puppy, so you need to train him out of this."

"I could put the puppy pads in the basement! Before we got him, Grandpa gave me some tips on puppy training!"

"Ruby's already claimed the basement, Henry."

"I've gotta wolf out somewhere safe," she shrugged.

"It'll be better for him to learn to go outside, anyways. The puppy pads are just until he grows out of needing to go to the bathroom every ten minutes."

"That's okay then. Ranger and I will figure it out!"

~~~~~~~~~~

"He's peed inside the house four times, he's shredded two pairs of my shorts, and he won't stop barking," Ruby groaned, sinking into the bed beside Regina. "And! The peeing AND the barking are both directed at me and my stuff. I told you he was going to hate me."

"He doesn't hate you, he's just a baby, in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people." She rolled onto her side, and threw her arm around Ruby's waist, kissing her neck. "He'll get used to it all soon."

"He doesn't hate you," she grumbled. "Doesn't hate Henry. He only goes after the house at large, or my stuff."

"He's gone after my things! You know that shirt of mine that you like?"

"The purple one?"

"Yes, the silky one that always makes you, well," she ran a hand under Ruby's shirt. "He shredded it, when I was getting ready to do the laundry. He pulled it off the bed, and by the time I noticed, I couldn't find all the pieces to put it back together." Ruby groaned. "See? My favorite shirt, too!"

~~~~~~~~~~

"Henry," Ruby said, walking into the backyard where Henry was playing with Ranger.

"Hey, Ruby!"

"Hey." She sat down on the grass beside him, frowning when the puppy rolled onto his feet and growled at her. "Really? I haven't even done anything."

"I don't think he likes you that much," he said, pulling the pup into his lap.

"That's what I keep telling your mom, but she says it's just because he's new." She reached her hand out for the puppy to sniff, only to get another little growl. "Doesn't like me one bit. Think he'll grow out of it?"

"Maybe? Grandpa says good puppy behavior takes a lot of time and training, but when I asked him why Ranger would only go after your stuff, he didn't know."

"Well. You're a smart kid," she said, ruffling his hair. "I'm sure you'll get him there."

~~~~~~~~~~

"I swear, he's peed on every wall of this house at least twice," Regina muttered as she stirred the pot. "And anywhere you've been as the wolf, twice!"

"I told you he didn't like me," she said, pulling the meat from the oven. "He smells the wolf, and it freaks him out."

"We'll need to figure out something to do with him. We can't keep cleaning up all these messes all the time."

"What, you want to get rid of him? We can't, that's Henry's puppy!"

They heard the front door open and shut, Henry jogging into the house with Ranger on a leash beside him.

"We'll talk about it later."

~~~~~~~~~~

"So," Henry said through a mouthful of food, "I don't think Ranger likes heights."

The two women shared a worried look, Regina deciding to take the lead.

"What makes you say that, Henry?"

"Well," he drew out the word, "we were playing fetch today, and the ball accidentally went into the basement...and when Ranger went to go chase it, he got right up to the door and started barking. At first it was just little barks, and then he started to sound scared. And when I tried to take him down there with me, he started to cry."

"Why was the basement door open at all," Regina asked, looking between her girlfriend and son.

"That would be my fault," Ruby said, lifting her fork up. "The full moon is coming up, and I wanted to make sure I had everything ready in there. I must've left it open when I ran upstairs to grab another blanket."

"You know you don't have to transform in there, right?" Regina looked at her softly. "We trust you."

"It's just a precaution," Ruby sighed. "I know I'm in control of the wolf, but I like knowing that you guys would be safe too, if something happened."

"Alright," Regina agreed, giving Ruby's hand a squeeze. "Are you sure it's heights that Ranger's afraid of, Henry? He seems to get up and down the stairs to your bedroom rather easily."

"Oh yeah." He thought about it, forkful of food halfway to his mouth. "I don't know then."

"Well, probably better for him to stay out of the basement anyways."

~~~~~~~~~~

"I still don't think you need to do this," Regina said, pressing her lips to Ruby's cheek. "I always end up missing you in our bedroom when you do."

"I miss you too. I just..."

"Need to transform and let some pressure off?"

"Something like that." She sank into Regina's arms, holding her close. "If next month is calmer, I might not feel like I need to lock down the basement with me inside, but there's been so much going on..."

"I know." Another peck, and Regina stepped back. "Go, 'commune with the wolf'. I'll see you in the morning."

"As soon as I wake up," Ruby agreed. "Kid," she called Henry over, wrapping him in a quick hug. "I'll see you tomorrow. Don't watch our show without me, I'll know if you did," she winked.

"Yeah, yeah," he laughed, hugging her back. "I think I'll just teach Ranger some new tricks while you're down there."

"Can't wait to see them," she said, giving the dog a smile that came out more like a grimace. She reached out to try and pet him, only to pull away when he jumped up, mouth wide open and aimed at her hand. "Maybe teach him not to bite?"

~~~~~~~~~~

When Ruby next awoke, it was to the sound of Regina and Henry's panicked voices.

"He was just here, Mom!"

"You know you're not supposed to leave him alone, Henry, he needs constant supervision!"

"It was just for a second!"

"Did you open any doors, could he have gotten outside?"

"No, and I put up the baby gate too, so he can't be upstairs..."

The wolf let out a deep breath, stretching her legs. Still too early for her to turn human again, but with the calm she was feeling, she could help them find the puppy.

"I left the basement door open," she heard Regina say, and her eyes went wide. She sniffed the air and sure enough, Ranger's scent was strong. She looked down, and there he was, nestled into her body. She let out a soft woof, loud enough to carry upstairs.

"Ruby?" Regina ran down the stairs, Henry close behind.

Ruby nuzzled at the pup, pushing him up, only to have him whine and curl back into her.

"Ranger!" Henry ran over to the two animals on the ground, petting at Ranger. "Thanks, Ruby." She let out a huff, licking his forehead. "Gross," he laughed."

"Have you two worked out your differences, then," Regina asked, sitting down to let Ruby's head rest on her legs.

Ruby gave her best impression of a shrug. She snuffled at the pup's fur, snorting at him, Ranger not so much as twitching when she did.

The four of them stayed curled together until morning, Ruby waking up and transforming into her human self again. Regina ran her hand over her shoulder and down to her hand, slipping her fingers between Ruby's.

"He couldn't find me," she said, her voice still husky from sleep.

"Who?"

"Ranger," Ruby said, looking down at the puppy. "That's why he was so freaked out all the time. Destroyed my stuff. He smelled me everywhere, couldn't see me." She let out a hum as Regina pulled herself closer. "He was scared, being in someone else's territory."

"So you've made up?"

"Mhm."

"Good."

Red stretches and yawns, the straw from her sorry excuse of a pallet digging into her back. She’s slept in worse spots, though she does admit the smell is definitely worse in the castle dungeons.

A loud clanging makes her jerk her head up. Someone’s been moved into the cell adjacent to hers while she was napping.

Curiosity has her shifting so she can peer through the rusting bars of the cell. “Hey, you mind? Some of us are trying to rest.”

In the low torchlight it’s difficult to see her new compatriot, but her eyes adjust after several seconds of staring. She raises her eyebrows. Though the woman is adorned in the generally unflattering shift that feels more like a canvas tarp rather than homespun wool, it’s clear that Red is now dwelling with a disgraced member of the aristocracy.

 Even from this distance Red can see how perfectly groomed the other woman is - hair up in a neat chignon, with her almost too-pretty and eerily clean features perfectly composed into a neutral expression.

Red bets her hands are soft and unblemished by a single day’s hard work. She clenches her teeth briefly.

The dark-haired woman’s stubbornly tilted chin, erect posture in the squalid surroundings, and utter determination to ignore Red make Red feel mischievous. Oh, she adores poking fun at the aristocrats.

“What’re you in for? Stealing a chicken?”

The queries make the other woman flinch almost imperceptibly. Red considers it a good start.

She sprawls back on the straw, crossing her arms behind her head for extra cushion. “Oh,” she declares almost thoughtfully, “did you give into loneliness out alone in the fields? I know sheep are acceptable partners in some places, but–”

“Don’t ascribe your crimes to me, peasant.”

Red closes her eyes in delight, her grin widening. “Oh, me? No, I’m in for murder.”

She hums to herself when the other woman remains quiet, satisfaction rising like a warm feeling in her belly.

“What did you murder? Someone’s olfactory senses? I can smell you from here.”

Red’s eyes dart open. She rolls her head to the side to quirk a brow at the would-be noblewoman who’s now standing just opposite of the bars that dissect their cells.

Red can see her better now that she’s closer. The woman is smirking, and Red tries to ignore the heat that ignites low in her abdomen at the sight. She licks her lips subconsciously and stands, only to meander her way over to the woman. Red does love a challenge.

The woman doesn’t move, though it’s clear she wants to. Red wiggles her eyebrows and slings her arms through the bars so they’re hanging over into the other side. “That smell? That’s your chamberpot. They didn’t empty it out after the last drunkard spilled his guts in it.” Red points to grungey pot set off in the corner of the other cell to emphasize her point.

Red licks her lips again when the woman flinches away from the pot instinctively–and towards Red. “Mm, yeah, unfortunate for you, m’lady.”

The woman’s head snaps toward Red with a glare. “Don’t call me that.”

“Than what should I call you?” Red affects an innocent expression.

“I suppose it doesn’t matter if you know it now,” comes the nearly incoherent mumble. Louder, the woman says “Regina.”

“Regina? Terrible name. It suits you.” Red grins wolfishly when the woman–Regina–glares harder.

“What did you do?” Red continues as she examines her fingernails. “Just answer the question will you? Executioner’s coming in the morning.”

Again, the dungeon remains quiet. Just as Red is about to retreat back to her straw pallet, Regina answers.

“Witchcraft.”

Ah, Red thinks, then she’s off for the executioner tomorrow as well.

Red leans back toward the bars intently. “You any good?”

Regina shrugs and scowls. “I’d only just begun to learn the basics. I wanted to escape an arranged marriage.”

Red snorts and leans her head against a metal bar. “Good reason.”

A small smile plays at Regina’s lips, and for the first time she regards Red with something other than utter disgust. “I thought so.” She looks away. “If I’d only had more time. I was close to mastering the fireball.”

A thought strikes Red; she closes her eyes and listens for a moment. The lone guard is creaking in his wooden chair two flights of stairs up, and the cells above them are relatively uninhabited. It should be safe. It might be close enough to the full moon for her to harness some extra strength.

“Regina,” she whispers as she leans closer to the bars, “I think I have an idea.”

Regina frowns but leans closer too.

Red talks quietly for several minutes, pausing every time the guard shifts a little too heavily in his seat.

Regina is frowning in concentration as she finishes. “Do you really think that will work?”

“Couldn’t hurt to try,” Red admits with a shrug. She glances around once more and leans back in. “One more thing.”

Still frowning, Regina leans closer again. Her eyes widen a second before she deciphers the wicked expression on Red’s face.

But Red is unnaturally quick, her hand reaching out to steady Regina’s face as she brushes their lips together.

To her surprise, Regina doesn’t jerk away, instead softening briefly into the kiss before Red retreats.

Regina glares all the harder once she realizes what’s happened. Her cheeks are pink but Red is unrepentant.

“We could die tomorrow, Regina.” Red attempts a serious expression, but it’s spoiled when she’s distracted by the way Regina’s eyes sparkle with anger and something else. Regina’s beautiful when she’s furious, Red decides.

“Don’t make me set you on fire,” Regina warns in an indignant hiss.

“Well, you are supposed to practice, but preferably not on me. We’re partners in this, remember?” Just to be safe, Red casually takes a few steps back.

The movement makes Regina’s eyes narrow, a small smile threatening to make her lips upturn. “For now.”