Ruby was such a confident woman. That was probably one of the things that you loved most about her, she was so self-assured, and was always able to keep her head up no matter what the world threw at her. That's why youwere so shocked when you came home from work to find Ruby in her old pyjamas she'd never want to be seen dead in, curled up in your shared bed with her hair in a tangled mess.

"Ruby?" You smiled softly as you came into the room, hoping that she had just decided to have an afternoon nap, not that anything bad had happened.

She gripped the quilt and pulled it up to hide her face, only leaving her mop of brown hair out for you to see. That was never a good sign. She'd usually smile back, or at least great you, however she hadn't said anything, and was trying to hide herself.

You took off your jacket and left it on the chair in the corner of your room, going over to your bed, pulling back the covers slightly, so that you could slip in next to her, to see her tear stained face.

"Love, what's wrong?" You asked softly, reaching a hand out to gently place a hand onto her shoulder, which she instantly melt against.

"I... I don't understand," she whispered, her voice breaking.

You tried to keep a reassuring smile on your face, but really you were completely concerned not having any idea what was wrong with her.

"What don't you understand?"

"Us."

Your eyebrows knitted together. She didn't understand your relationship? The two of you had been together for nearly two years, and they were the happiest two years of your life, so you weren't completely sure what she was confused about.

"What about us?"

"Why are you still with me? I am a monster. I have done so many unspeakable things, why would you ever what to be with me?" She croaked, her eyes brimming with tears.

It did take some time for Ruby to tell you her secret, tell you that she was a werewolf, not that it overly mattered whilst you were in Storybrooke, but you were glad that she trusted you enough to tell you. She was so apprehsive about telling you, thinking that you would be prepared to run for the hills as soon as she told you. However of course that wasn't the case. You didn't care that she was a werewolf. You loved her. That was all that mattered. That is all that matters.

"Loyalty my dear," you whispered softly, still keeping the smile curled onto your lips. "We stand by each other no matter what. I love you, I love every part of you, even the darkest parts."

She hesitated before she reacted to what you had said. It took her a moment for her to wrap her head around everything that you had said.

"You really feel that way?" She asked.

"Yes. Ruby, I love you. Nothing is going to change that. I've never seen you as a monster, only as the woman I love," you smiled warmly.

For the first time in your conversation, Ruby smiled. She leaned closer so that she could wrap her arms around you, whispering her love for you in your ear.

~*~

Written by Charlotte.