924 AF1.1 - Third Person POV

"Ruby!"

"(y/n)!" Ruby ran up to her friend and latched onto his torso, bring him into a tight bear hug. She had already started to miss (y/n)'s presence at home. Ruby buried her face into (y/n)'s patient scrubs to reunite herself with him. She didn't realize how much she missed (y/n) until she looked up at his face to see him smiling. A genuine smile on his face. This was the first time in a while Ruby had seen a genuine smile on the man.

"Woah!" (y/n) was caught off guard by the energetic charge of the girl, but regained her balance and brought his arms around the smaller girl. "I missed you too." He ruffled the girl's hair slightly, flashing the smile again.

"You..." Ruby didn't finish the sentence as she stared at the brand new light found in the taller man. Tears of joy threatened to spill down her cheeks. The transformation between the time she watched (y/n) enter the hospital to today was a drastic but welcomed change.

(y/n) let out an amused chuckle. "Yeah... I know." It's been a long time since Ruby's seen (y/n) happy, and he knew that. The two remained in the hug for a bit longer, revelling at the change in (y/n)'s mood. They finally break apart, Ruby with tears already running down her cheeks. (y/n) gives the smaller girl a sympathetic smile in an attempt to comfort her.

"I'm sorry I missed you yesterday..." Ruby looked down at the floor before engaging another hug with (y/n), which he accepted with open arms.

The day before, Ruby had visited the hospital to see (y/n), only to be told she wouldn't be able to see him at the time. At that time, (y/n) was busy being assessed by the young Dr. Sustrai. Ruby ended up leaving the hospital guiltily since she promised (y/n) she'd visit him the next day, feeling as she already broke the promise. For the rest of the day, she was worried about (y/n) being sad or even upset about her not visiting. She was afraid she had hurt him and ended up heading back home, where she spent the rest of the day looking through (y/n)'s boxes of documents, documenting a fictional life of a fictional person. It wasn't until later that day when (y/n) had called Ruby, telling her something amazing had happened. It was clear in his voice he wasn't mad. In fact, he sounded happy. (y/n) explained to Ruby that something miraculous happened that day and that he had something to show her the next day when she'd come to visit.

After that phone call, all of Ruby's worries had disappeared. She had woken up with a renewed feeling of hope that her best friend would be alright after all. Ever since (y/n) had been admitted into the hospital, this was Ruby's first time experiencing relief. For an entire forty-eight hours the two were apart and it was an entire forty-eight hours Ruby was worried sick about (y/n)'s well being. Finally, she had a feeling of solace knowing (y/n) was doing fine at the hospital and that admitting him wasn't a mistake, though the other option was prison which wasn't exactly a better destination. That night, Ruby slept comfortably and was awake the next day completely energized and excited to see her best friend again.

"Don't worry about it." (y/n) grinned at Ruby and patted her head.

"I'm... I'm just... so happy..." Ruby managed to squeak the words through her tears.

(y/n) continued to pat the shorter girl's head. It was a move he'd use whenever Ruby needed comforting. "C'mon Rubes." (y/n) placed a hand on her back and guided her down the hall.

The two walked into the common room, where other patients of the hospital sat around. Some were watching TV while others were conversing with each other. The one person who was an exception was the young girl with the bandaged wrist who (y/n) spoke to the other day. The girl would hop from group to group, trying to start conversations with the other patients. At the moment, she was talking to an older couple who was visiting a younger boy who seemed to be their grandson.

Ruby ran over to an empty couch next to one of the big windows and quickly seated herself. She gestured (y/n) over, which he did and sat next to her. Ruby then leaned against him and looked up at his face. "This place is good for you, (y/n)."

(y/n) chuckled a little. "Yeah. You don't know the half of it."

Ruby tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"How do I even put it into words?" (y/n) looked up at the ceiling and smiled brightly, not trying to hold it back as he thought about Emerald.

Ruby became a little worried as she recognized the look on (y/n)'s face. "(y/n)?" She prodded at him, worried about what he was thinking.

"She's real."

After hearing those words, Ruby frowned slightly and bit her lip. "(y/n)..."

"No, Ruby." He adjusted his position so they'd face each other. "I'm serious. She's here. She's here."

Ruby simply shook her head in denial. The tears from earlier were dangerously close to coming back, but this time, not for the same reason. (y/n) hadn't gotten any better. "No... (y/n)... She's not real... You need to let it go..." She sucked on her lip, forcing the tears back. "You need to face the truth..."

(y/n) shook her head. "Rubes, I'm not crazy. I mean, I'm sure there are a few screws loose, but Em is really here. She's my doctor."

A few tears ran down Ruby's cheeks as she hugged (y/n) again, burying her face into his shirt. All the hope she felt last night and this morning all faded away, falling through the gaps of her fingers and vanishing into nothingness. She silently kicked herself about having her hopes up in the first place.

(y/n) frowned and wrapped his arms around Ruby. "Rubes... I'm..." He ran a hand through her hair. "It's Oum. He brought me here to meet her. I know it."

"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry..." Ruby mumbled into (y/n)'s shirt, wetting it with her tears.

"What are you apologizing about?"

"I should've... I should've gotten you help sooner..." Ruby's hands balled up and crumpled (y/n)'s scrubs. She felt as if she'd let down her best friend.

"Ruby, I'm not..." (y/n) stopped himself. He knew words wouldn't be enough to convince her. "I'll show you." (y/n) stood up. Ruby quickly tried to compose herself, wiping the tears from her face before anyone else saw her current state.

"Where are we going?" Ruby followed (y/n) as he walked down one of the halls. (y/n) didn't respond. "(y/n)?" Ruby continued to blindly follow him as he made his way down to Emerald's office.

Ruby scanned the unfamiliar surroundings as the two continued to walk. "These are all offices. Are you sure we're allowed in here?"

"Relax, Rubes. It's just down here. (y/n) turned back and gave Ruby a comforting smile, which, in reality, didn't help her relax at all. (y/n) walked past Dr. Arc's office and turned the corner which led directly to Dr. Sustrai's office. The two then arrived in front of the office. (y/n) looked at the window. Seeing as the curtains were down, he knocked on the door, not wanting to intrude on a session.

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(y/n)'s POV

After a few seconds and no response, I knock again. I look over to Ruby, who's clearly extremely anxious.

"(y/n)... C'mon, let's go." Ruby tugged at my sleeve as she tried to lead me away from Emerald's office.

"Hey, Em." I knock again and try to peer through the window. "You in there?" Maybe she was out getting some food?

As I reach for the doorknob, Ruby spoke up. "Please, (y/n)... Don't..."

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Third Person POV

When the door swung open, (y/n)'s heart stopped. A pit formed in his stomach as he looked around the room. The once furnished room was now empty, lights off. The towering bookshelves that lined the back wall and the large wooden desk that sat in the middle of the office was gone. Replacing everything was a vacant space. 

(y/n) slowly entered the room and tried to comprehend everything. He stood in the middle of the room, confused. "I... I don't understand..."

(y/n) recognized everything about the room. The smell of hickory still lingered in the space and the shape of the room was still the same. The only thing that was missing was Emerald and the furnishings. He was sure it was the same room, the only issue was that it looked like it was never used.

Ruby remained in the doorway, watching the confusion run around in (y/n)'s head. Her hands rubbed against each other, unsure what to do at the moment. Her mouth dried up. There was nothing she could say.

"But... It was right here... She was here..." (y/n) walked over to the back wall where the bookshelves once stood. He ran a hand across its plain vacant walls as he mumbled to himself. He turned to the door where Ruby stood. The black lettering saying "Dr. Sustrai" was gone. Every indication of Emerald's existence was gone. (y/n) looked down to his hands, where they started shaking involuntarily.

The world around him started to blur. Was this a merging of what's real and what isn't? Could he really be schizophrenic? Was all of yesterday a delusion? (y/n) suddenly felt a need to throw up. His stomach churned violently as the blood escaped his limbed, slowly becoming numb. "But... I... Wha-..." (y/n)'s voice started failing him. The words wouldn't escape his mouth. He turned to Ruby with eyes filled with confusion. She stared back with eyes full of worry.

Everything was there the day before. The bookshelves, the chairs, the desk, "The Conspiracy of Queens". All of it gone. How could it all be gone? (y/n)'s mind raced as he tried to comprehend what was unravelling in front of him. All of it couldn't be a delusion, could it? How could it be possible? He was so close to the woman just yesterday. He had seen the beautiful deep crimson of her eyes and soft pastel green of her hair. There's no way he had imagined all that with such clarity.

Right?

(y/n)'s eyes started to water as his mind continued to sift through the thoughts of the events of yesterday all being a lie. He bit down on his lip as his stomach churned hard again. His hands rose to his head and he gripped onto his hair, hoping he could get a handle on the current situation. He held his head as the border between delusion and reality seemed to merge. (y/n) looked over to Ruby, who still hadn't moved a muscle. His eyes pleaded a message that Ruby couldn't even understand. Was he looking for help? Was he looking for a rescuer? Was he looking for an explanation? Ruby just couldn't tell.

"(y/n)..." Ruby softly called out to him.

"The Thorazine..." (y/n) shook his head. There was no way it kicked in this fast. He had only taken the first dosage the night before. It's supposed to take at least a week for the effects to start showing. He set out to take the antipsychotic to prove Emerald he wasn't crazy. Now, Emerald is gone. "I... I never should've taken the Thorazine... Ruby..." (y/n) shook his head again, in disbelief that everything had suddenly been ripped away from him. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. "I shouldn't have..."

Ruby quickly closed the gap between them and brought him into a soft embrace. She clung tightly on the taller man as he kept his eyes closed, trying to keep the tears in. "Rubes... She was here... I'm sure of it..." (y/n) heard his voice crack as he mustered the words out of his mouth. "I don't get it... It was her..."

The two stood in the blank room for what felt like an eternity. Ruby maintained the hug as she tried to console her broken friend. (y/n)'s body shook in her arms as he tried to process everything that had just happened. A sense of guilt had started to bubble deep inside Ruby. She's been around (y/n) longer than anyone. She was aware of his delusions for a very long time but assumed he'd eventually grow away from them as they got older. She mentally kicked herself for not knowing better. She watched as (y/n) would paint, draw, and write about Emerald since they were kids. (y/n) would work on a piece from when the sun rose to when it sunk, until his hands were covered in whatever medium he chose to use that day. It was clear he wasn't OK. He needed help long before he himself was committed to it, but now it's clear it was already too late. A small part of Ruby hoped this time in the hospital would be a reality check for (y/n) and would kickstart a recovery phase for him, but now it seems like it's done the complete opposite. And after watching (y/n) deal with his hardships in the past, Ruby's hopes were outweighed by fear twofold, if not more.

(y/n) remained in the shorter girl's hug, clinging onto her shirt. If Ruby was his reality, he held onto her like it was a lifeline. He held onto her with the fear that if he separated from her, he'd separate from reality itself. (y/n) lowered her head and buried it into Ruby's shoulder. "I swear... She was here... She listened to my heartbeat..."

Ruby gave (y/n) one last tight squeeze before separating to look at his face. His eyes were cold and vacant, much like this plain office they stood in. His eyes were the eyes of someone who was ready to give in. "It's gonna be OK, (y/n). You have me..." The two held each other in an embrace for a while longer until Ruby spoke up again.

"C'mon... Let's get out of here." She glanced around the plain walls of the abandoned office space. Definitely not a great environment to be in. 

(y/n) was numb. His body wouldn't respond to his pleas so Ruby supported him as they exited the room. She held (y/n)'s blood-drained hands. They were cold and immobile. It was clear (y/n)'s emotions had shut down in an attempt to protect him from further heartache.

As the two arrived back at the common room, (y/n) broke off from Ruby and headed for another set of doors. 

"(y/n)?" 

"I just want to be alone..." He opted to lie down on his bed and stare at the cold tiles than remain in the public common room.

The two made it to (y/n) room and he pushed the metal door open. He then beelined to the cot and collapsed onto it. (y/n) was always a strong-willed person in front of Ruby but now, curled up on the bed, he started to look more like an abandoned injured puppy.

Ruby let out a strained sigh, unsure on how to help her friend. "I'm not sure this is a good idea..."

"Someone checks up on me every ten minutes or so." His voice was flat and hollow. What was once a man so sure of himself had become a soulless husk lying on his bed.

"Are you going to be alright?" She sat down next to (y/n) and placed a hand on his back in a sign of comfort.

(y/n) placed a hand on Ruby's lap, acknowledging her presence. "I'm not planning on leaving you, Rubes. I just..." He continued to stare down at the cold floor tiles, not finishing his sentence.

Ruby bit her lip before lightly hugging the struggling (y/n). "I'm gonna get going then... Call me when you feel up for it, alright?" (y/n) responded with a weak nod. Partly satisfied, she stood up and reached into her pocket. Ruby pulls out a small silver trinket and places it in (y/n)'s open hand. "I love you, (y/n)."

"Love you too, Rubes."

Ruby got up and made her way to the door but paused in the doorway for a few more seconds, looking back at (y/n). "Call me later please?"

"Yeah."

Ruby then left the room and headed down the hall towards the entrance, but not before asking a roaming technician to keep a careful eye when watching over (y/n). The tech gave the girl an understanding and reassuring smile, easing her worries a little bit.

After Ruby left, (y/n) remained in bed for another hour. Her mind was preoccupied with the events that had occurred just a day before. His mind searched for answers until he rolled over and dropped the trinket Ruby had given him. With a clink, the piece hit the ground and snapped (y/n) out of his thoughts.

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(y/n)'s POV

"What..."

I roll off the bed and pick up the silver trinket. A silver keychain in the shape of a dove in flight sat on the ground. I pick it up and examine it in the palm of my hand. The sun shone off the lustrous surface and hit my eye.

"Fuck..."

I rotate the dove trinket and stare at it at different angles. Small gaps between the bird's wings and body let more shafts of light through to my eye.

"Oum... Why do you do this to me..."

I silently ponder what the gods above are doing at this very moment. Were they watching me suffer? Did they plan all of this out? Does a godly figure hold my life in the palm of their hand, ready to crush it at a moment's notice? Was I just a mere pawn on a chessboard that dictated my future along with the future of Remnant?

My mind snaps out of my thoughts again as my stomach rumbles. "It's about lunchtime isn't it..."

Slowly, I raise myself onto my feet and drag my way to the cafeteria, where Lynn hands me a sandwich with a side of raw sliced vegetables. I take a seat alone and place the tray down. For the next ten minutes or so, I silently pick at my food and fiddle with the dove trinket Ruby gave me. The techs watched me with concerned eyes since I wasn't touching my food, but I ignored them and continued to mind my own business. Speaking of techs, I haven't seen Arc today. I guess she has today off or something. Or maybe she's another delusion. Who knows at this point.

After a solid twenty minutes of staring at the silver trinket and eating about two sticks of cucumbers, my blank gazing at the dove was interrupted by a man who spoke out to me.

"Young man..." I look up to see a man in a dark green shirt and black pants. By the looks of it, he's older, but not a tech or a doctor. Probably visiting someone.

I blankly stare at the older man in response to his presence.

"You seem troubled." The man sits down across from me without notice. His voice was rough but filled with elder wisdom. He looks familiar. Maybe someone from my memories, though a name doesn't pop up. Oriental by the looks... Ren? Not quite...

I lightly scoff at his observation. "Everyone here's troubled." I continue to look at the dove, partially ignoring the man in front of me.

The man simply stares at my cold eyes. "Your eyes... you've lost someone..."

"Mhm." I respond dismissively.

"Just like my son... He lost the spark in his eyes after he lost the one he loved most. She truly was a spark in his life." The man's voice became low and solemn as he thought about his struggling son. "Say, may I take a look at that?" He was referring to the silver dove.

My gaze moves from the silver trinket to the older man. "Sure." I place the dove on the table and slide it over to him. He stops it and picks it up gently.

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Third Person POV

The man raised the dove to the flickering fluorescent lights on the ceiling and slowly turned it between two fingers. "Dove... A symbol of hope and peace, yes?"

(y/n) watched the man examine Ruby's gift. "Hope, huh?" He mumbled under his breath as he internally laughed at the irony.

The man continued to handle the dove with care, now placing it in cupped hands. "Listen..." He spoke in a sotto voce tone. The man stared into his hands intently, as if he was expecting the dove to come to life.

(y/n) continued to blankly watch the older man. "What are you doing?" His voice was still flat, but also resonated a sense of curiosity.

"There is something within this bird." His voice was rather low. "An imperishable seed of beauty."

"What do you mean?" (y/n) sat up straighter and leaned forward towards the man.

"A view into your heart." The man raises the silver dove towards the light again. "Peradventure he rests." He extends his hand forward with the trinket in his hand towards (y/n). "Perhaps this is the key to reach nirvana."

(y/n) stares at the man with a confused expression.

"The dove spreads its wings and flies. Towards the heavens or the dirt, we do not know. The bird lives in the skies. The metal from which it was formed was from the ground. Highest and lowest, yin and yang. Is this trinket the dead yin or the living yang, we do not know. Does it represent the melancholic yin or the ethereal yang?"

"We don't know..." (y/n) answered the man's question.

"Correct, but watch." The man extends his hand towards (y/n), motioning towards the trinket. (y/n) places it in his hand. "Body of yin, soul of yang. Metal and fire, unified." The man tilted the silver dove in his hand, reflecting the light into (y/n)'s eyes. "Perhaps the body is one of death, a husk should I say, but the soul will emerge and raise the body towards the heavens." The man chuckles. "Perhaps this is not a dove, but a phoenix."

The man hands the bird trinket back to (y/n), who inspects the piece from a new perspective. 

"Courage over indifference, my friend. The worst action is to take none." The man gives (y/n) a soft smile. "If there is no hope in sight, find it and place it in your field of view. Sometimes, hope does not simply wait for someone..." Then the man's gaze changes from (y/n) to someone behind him. "Though it seems hope waits for you this time."

With those final words, the older man stands up and walks past (y/n).

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(y/n)'s POV

Phoenix, huh? I stare at the silver trinket as it shines in the cold fluorescent lighting of the cafeteria.

"All yours, doc." The older man's voice stands behind me.

But in my confusion, the voice that responds is one that is familiar. Too familiar. "Thank you, Li."

I remain seated at the cafeteria table, too conflicted to move.

Her voice. Why am I hearing her voice? I don't understand. I clench my hand around the trinket as my stomach starts churning. Scenes from earlier appear in my head. The empty office. It's barren walls and cleared floor space. The door with no name.

"(y/n)?" The familiar voice called out to me, but I remain frozen. I was too scared to turn around. Courage over indifference, I tell myself. The worst action is to take none, I tell myself. I tell myself all these things, but my body refuses to move.

Footsteps were heard from behind me. They made their way towards me. I hear the tapping of heels as a person slowly came into my field of view. A woman. A doctor's coat. As she walked around to the other side of the table, the doctor's crimson eyes looked into mine.

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Third Person POV

"(y/n)?"

(y/n) stared back at the woman. Smooth darker complexion, beautiful red eyes, soft minty green hair. "How..."

Emerald stared back at him with confusion and worry in her eyes. "Are you ready for your session?"

(y/n) shook his head. This had to be a delusion, he thought to himself. Is the Thorazine already wearing off? "I don't understand..."

Emerald furrowed her eyebrows. "Don't understand what?"

Words escaped him as he stared at the woman in front of him in disbelief. He could smell her light scent. Her eyes were still a vibrant red, just as he remembered. But there was no way, right?. "But.. you... aren't real..."

Emerald tilted her head. "(y/n), are you OK? Did you take anything today?" Her voice was clearly full of concern as she searched within (y/n)'s eyes for an explanation. The man who sat in front of him was completely different from when they had met a day before. (y/n) looked lost.

(y/n) remained in silence. His hand shook slightly as he slowly reached out to Emerald's hand. Confusion ran through his brain as he was surprised by flesh coming in contact with flesh. With his finger, he slowly traced the top of her hand as he took in the warmth that radiated from her hand. (y/n)'s touch was gentle, almost as if he was scared Emerald's hand would disappear if he applied a little too much pressure.

Emerald stared at (y/n) with worry. Small tingles ran through her head and down her spine as (y/n)'s finger ran along the top of her hand and over her knuckles. She slowly looked around the room to see if anyone was watching, but all the patients were busy with their own business. Going on a limb, Emerald slowly raised her hand, facing her palm towards (y/n). He then started to trace the lines along the inside of her hand. Emerald watched with sympathy as (y/n) slowly tried to confirm her very own existence.

"(y/n)?" He looked up at the doctor. "Let's get to my office... I think we have a lot to talk about..."

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A/N

Another chapter done. If you could guess who the older man was, congrats. You get no prize, but good job.

4367 words