Brian's POV

I watched from a distance as Ruby spoke to Sam, seeing the conversation quickly turn from joyful to grim. After a few moments, the two of them embraced, and Ruby walked back toward me. She was grasping at her wrist, which I knew all too well by now was an anxiety thing. A frown played on her lips as she looked up at me. The light that had been in her eyes just a few moments ago, was suddenly gone.

"What's up?" I asked.
She drew in a deep breath. "I think I need to go home..."
I blinked. "What?"
"Jack's not doing so good." she chewed on her lip.
"Who cares?"
"Brian." Jimmy scolded me.
"He overdosed." Ruby explained. "Sam said he's lucky to be alive, but she's been taking care of him ever since."
"That's his own fault."
"Brian!" Jimmy hissed, scolding me again.
"I just don't think it's fair that Sam has to take care of him all on her own." Ruby sighed. "He's not her responsibility."
"And he's not yours, either." I replied. "Not anymore."
"He was still important to me, once."
"Maybe, but he threw you away." I reminded her.
"I know that." she frowned. "But I still think I need to go back."
“I already lost you once." I said, panic suddenly rising up inside of me. "I can’t lose you again.”
“It’s not forever.” Ruby sniffed, a few tears rolling down her pale cheeks.
“How do I know that?”
“Because of this.” she said, forcing a smile as she held up her wrist; the red wool braided bracelet I’d made her years ago still tied around it. “No matter what, we’ll find our way back to each other. It already brought me back to you once.” she winked.
“Please don’t go.” I breathed, though I already knew she’d made up her mind.
“Brian…” she whispered, leaning into my neck, burying her fingers in my hair. “If you truly care for me, you’ll understand why I have to do this.”

I broke, wrapping my arms around her tiny frame and holding her against me tightly. I hardly ever cried, genuinely cried. Her fingers in my hair still sent warm tingles all through my body, and her perfume smelled of Vanilla and Sakura flowers. God knows when I’d get to hold her like this again.

I cupped her face between my hands, crashing my lips against hers. She moaned in response as I kissed her desperately, savoring the taste of her. I had no way of knowing if or when I’d ever get to feel her lips again. Her scent was intoxicating, and my heart felt ready to burst out of my chest. All too soon, our lips parted, and I felt hot tears trail down my face, blinking through the blur as I gazed down into her chocolate brown eyes that matched my own and made my heart ache.

“Come back to me.” I croaked.
“I promise.” she breathed, gently kissing my cheek as she pulled away.

The second she was out of my arms, it was agony. I felt like a hole had been punched through my chest as I watched her turn and walk away. Losing her once, without a trace, was hard enough. Actually watching her walk away this time was even harder.

My body moved against my will, and I made to go after her.

“Brian, let her go.” Jimmy urged, grabbing my shoulder. “Holding her back won’t make you any better than Jack was.”
“He fucking ruined her…” I growled. “He’ll do it again.”
“You don’t know that.” he replied. “And she’s not going back to be with him.”
“He’s still her Ex, how do I know he won’t try to win her back?”
“That’s a risk you gotta take, unfortunately.” Jimmy sighed. “But, have a little faith, if she loves you, nothing he can do or say will change that.”
I clenched my jaw, knowing he was right.

Well, I hoped to hell he was…

"Yo, what just happened?" came Matt's voice.
"Ruby's going back to Chicago." I sighed, my chest growing tight as I said the words.
"What?!" he spat. "Why the hell for?"
"Jack overdosed." Jimmy explained. "Her friend Sam's been stuck looking after him ever since, and Ruby, being the naturally kind-hearted person she is, feels like she has to go back and help take care of him."
"And you let her go?!" Matt exclaimed.
My tone was flat as I replied; "Not willingly."
"Without a fight?" he asked in disbelief. "Unbelievable."
"Shads, she's a grown woman." Jimmy said, trying to reason with him.
"You two pussies can sit back and watch her walk away again if you want-" he snapped. "Never thought I'd see you let that happen, Brian." he added. "But it's not fucking happening, not on my watch."
"Shads!" Jimmy called after Matt as he dashed away.

The two of us knew better than to try and stop Shadows when he was angry. He was impulsive and he'd never listen to anyone. Still, I couldn't help but hope that maybe he'd be able to persuade her to stay. I had sworn I would never let this happen again, but when I'd seen the look on her face, I just knew that nothing I said was going to change her mind. Ruby had always been far too compassionate for her own good.

***

Ruby's POV

"RUBY!" I heard Matt shout from the front of the bus.
I rolled my eyes, knowing what was coming. "Back here!" I called as I packed away the belongings I'd stored in my bunk.
"You're not seriously leaving again, are you?"
"Shadows-" I sighed.
"No!" he snapped. "Forget it! Jack is a piece of fucking shit and he got what he deserved!"
"It's not fair on Sam." I said, trying to reason with him.
"It's not fair on you, either!" he retaliated. "Or Us!"
"I have to go." I pleaded, zipping up my backpack and slinging it over my shoulder.
"You don't have to do shit." he hissed, following me as I made my way through the bus.
"This is different to last time, okay?" I replied. "This time, it's my choice, entirely my choice."
"Dammit, Ruby!" he growled, slamming his hand against the door frame of the bus.
"Matt." my expression hardened as I used his real name.
"No."
"Let me go."
"No."
"You have to trust me."
"Don't leave." He sniffed, a lone tear running down his cheek. "Not again."
"Matt." I groaned. "I gotta go."
"No." he begged. "I'm not losing my little sister again."
"You won't lose me." I reassured him. "None of you ever will."

He stared at me for a few moments, and I did my best to keep myself composed. My mind was made up, nothing was going to change it. I didn't want to leave him, or Brian, or any of the others. But my gut was telling me this was something I had to do, to finally gain full closure. I'd never be able to fully get on with my life until I had seen Jack, ensured he was okay, and that I was completely over him.

After what seemed like an eternity, Matt sighed in defeat, lowering his arm from the door frame and pulling me in for a hug.

"Just stay in touch, okay?" he whispered, resting his head on mine. "Don't do that radio silence shit again."
"I promise." I smiled, blinking back tears as I pulled away.

He stepped aside to let me off the bus. After taking a few steps, I turned to look back at him. Believe me when I tell you; seeing M. Shadows cry was a rarity. It wasn't often he'd drop the tough guy act and show any sign of vulnerability. But in that moment, the usually strong man's face shone with tears. I forced a smile as I waved, taking a deep breath before forcing myself to turn and walk away...

Notes

I'm sorry guys, try not to hate me too much... *awkward face*

Here, have a pretty gif of Brian?



I sincerely doubt that changes anything, but ehhh, it's ma story, guisss

Subject Change: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
What are you guys dressing up as?
I had my party on Friday, and I was Drowned Ophelia from Brutal Legend - Hella old game from my teens;



I hope you all have fun tomorrow, it's Halloween in Australia today, but I know it's not for a lot of you guys yet. Still, have fun, party hard, and try not to eat so much candy you puke - I did that last year; it wasn't fun.

Until next time!! xx