Chapter Text
Time seemed like it stood still.
Maria and Remy caught Ruby from falling back onto the stone park pathway, Maria holding her left wrist and Remy with her right.
"You alright there, Miss?" Remy smiled a bit as they pulled Ruby back up to balance.
Ruby's eyes didn't fall from Maria. They scanned her body on repeat, as if searching for some reason to not believe it. "Maria..." It was like all the air in her lungs had froze. Her eyes began to sting, and as she blinked, tears of relief began to cluster on her lashes, light blowing into those ocean eyes like layers of seafoam.
She lunged at Maria, nearly knocking her down as she hugged onto her, grabbing at her dress and squeezing the magenta flower-patterned fabric in her hands for dear life.
"I'm here." Maria smiled, and couldn't help but tear up as well as she hugged Ruby back, resting her cheek on her head, rubbing soft circles into her back. Any tension she was having about this moment had faded.
"I missed you so much..." Ruby mumbled into her chest, creating a moist patch on Maria's skin due to her crying. "Why'd you have to leave? Why didn't you text or answer me back?"
"I'm sorry... I was just so busy." Maria took a soft inhale. "I'm here now, it's fine."
Remy stood back and watched. He refused to interrupt the moment. It was a relationship a lot like his with Nikolai! Well...maybe not a lot. Definitely no crying or hugging in the street with Niko.
Ruby pulled away from the hug, cupping Maria's face in her hands, "Don't ever do that again!" She sniffled.
"I won't. Promise." Maria patted Ruby's head.
Ruby looked over at Remy, staring at him for a cold hard while, before her cheeks erupted the brightest blush the conman had ever seen. "I-I um... Who are you...?"
Remy smirked, eating up her gaze, he composed himself into his amazing façade of perfect confidence, holding out his hand to take Ruby's.
Ruby reached to shake but was a little surprised when their was no shake at all.
Instead, Remy took her hand, raising it up, and kissing the tops of her knuckles just as gently as he pleased. "Pleased to meet you in the flesh, Ruby. Tu es vraiment une perle." He dropped her hand slowly.
Ruby's face heated up to her ears. "My names Ruby, but you seem to already know that!" HE SPEAKS FRENCH?! Ruby's mind was racing with her throbbing heart.
"Let's sit down and catch up." Maria lead Ruby and Remy over to a bench, where the three of them sat, Ruby in between her friend and her new crush.
Ruby swallowed thickly as she tried to contain herself. "So how have you been? Where have you been?"
"An external art program." Against her better judgement, Maria decided to roll with Remy's idea. "Remy here scouted me personally."
"Yes, yes. Her art was simply divine I had to learn something from her." Remy chimed in on cue. ginning naturally.
"Oooh." Ruby looked even more interested, and like she bought it.
"Yes. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It was just so fast and quick." Maria frowned. It wasn't entirely a lie. The Gilded Poppy did make it a fast and quick decision.
"It's okay." Ruby smiled gently. "You were in the moment. I probably would have done the same...So what are you and Remy doing here in Japan?" She changed the subject to hide any doubt.
"Just an art tour." Remy came back over to take control of the illusion. Spin it like he always does. "Say, while we're here why don't we hang around with you? Maria's shown me your art, and it's absolutely stunning. How has it not been in any museums?"
Ruby's face turned pink again and she laughed. "Oh! You really like it that much?" She rubbed her hands nervously. She's never met anyone like him before. So casual, so flirty with his praise...
She wanted so much more.
"Yeah! Any place in particular you'd like to go?" Maria had her hands in her lap, staring at her short friend.
"Wisteria Gardens! I heard they had a rare November bloom this year!" Ruby stood up, "Shall we get going? A train ride is gonna take about 4 hours."
"Certainly." Remy grinned and stood up next to her. Towering over by about 10 inches.
Ruby's heart skipped a beat as she turned to Maria. "Let's go!!"
Maria laughed as she stood up with her, grabbing her hand and holding it tight. "Lead the way."
Ruby grabbed onto Remy's hand as well before she started tugging them along behind her to the train station. "Do you both have passes? Or did you just get into town?"
"Actually we were just at Universal Studios yesterday." Remy replied, as he adjusted his pace to be walking next to her.
"Really?! I was there yesterday too! I'm shocked we didn't run into one another sooner." Ruby was completely oblivious.
"Unlucky break I guess." Maria chuckled as she glanced to Remy.
Ruby had no idea how hard they tried to track her down yesterday. And if she did, Maria knew that she would apologize, even if it wasn't her fault.
The trio walked back to the train station before hopping on the next available train, that's when Zoe popped back into Remy and Maria's ears.
"I got everyone, we're here to supervise." Zoe assured.
"I wish we could see Ruby." Jett pouted.
"Maybe you will one day," Vivienne snickered.
"'Maybe' isn't reassuring." Jett snapped back.
Remy and Maria did their best to keep cool faces. But, it was kind of funny that Jett had to do his least favorite thing: Sitting and waiting.
"Remember to turn your phones' ringers down." Ruby's tone was much more hushed. "Proper etiquette." she reminded them as they stepped on the train.
"Right." The pair answered with the same volume, and did what she said.
"This is your first time to Japan, isn't it, Ruby?" Maria tilted her head. "You already know so much."
"I may be a tourist, but I didn't want to be an annoying tourist," Ruby swiped some of her bun's loose hair strands behind her ear, "So to speak. I studied the culture and public etiquette as much as I could before I arrived."
"That's really sweet of you." Remy assured.
Ruby blushed again, "Thank you... Remy."
"She's all smitten with you, Remy!" Poor Jett, left behind and can't flatter Ruby himself! It must be such torture...
Remy grinned, both of them brightening his heart with some humor.
The train ride passed fast in hushed conversation and light naps. Remy, Ruby and then Maria, that was their seating order, and Ruby, while being all leaning and friendly with Maria again, any time she looked at Remy it was clear what she wanted to do to him. She wanted to jump the man where he sits right now, and he found it pleasantly amusing. Infatuation! How cute.
The metro finally halted to a stop, doors opening and passengers began to file out, as did the trio of wonder.
"Finally get to stretch my legs!" Maria stepped out onto the train platform and walked around in a small circle of paces, tension easing from her modes of movement in lightly jarring increments.
"I feel you." Ruby did something similar, pulling a side of her cardigan that had slipped back up onto her shoulder. It wasn't terribly chilly, but she was known to be cold natured. "What about you Remy?"
"I'll live." He smiled, "Don't worry about me."
"Sorry, but I have to. A friend of a friend..." Ah. That made more sense in Ruby's head. Or at least not as love-y.
"Believe me, Ma Cherie. I understand." Remy slipped some of the loose bun strands behind Ruby's ear. "I do."
Ruby had to look away so she wouldn't risk becoming a puddle on the floor. Come on Ruby! You've met a bunch of hot guys, gals and even nonbinary pals! Why is this guy so different!? Scolding herself in her thoughts didn't fix her rosy cheeks.
"Alright you two." Maria huffed a laugh, "We better get going, don't wanna lose any daylight."
"Right!" Ruby finally got Remy out of her head for now. "We have to take a bus to the gardens, it'll be in town. Don't wanna miss out!" She walked towards the exit of the train station.
"She's so easy to fluster." Remy chuckled as he followed behind her.
"Yeah, yeah. Take it easy on her." Maria smirked at him as she walked alongside him.
In her extra few paces, Ruby smoothed her cardigan out before feeling her phone in her pocket. Sami! Ruby's mind started racing, along with her heart, I forgot to tell Sami I found Maria! She gulped as she pulled out her phone, and glanced over at her two travel companions. I know! Let's get a group photo.
But right as Ruby opened her mouth to speak, the bus pulled up, and opened its doors to release it's returning patrons.
"Lucky timing." Remy held a hand in his pocket.
"Y-yeah...!" Ruby chirped, feeling a little insulted that a bus of all things interrupted her. Stupid bus! How dare you!
As soon as it was safe to enter, Maria hopped on in, and Remy held a hand out to Ruby.
"It's a bit of a step," His hand was held out to help her up. "Mind if I...?"
It's true. Especially for Ruby. She's only 5 feet tall, after all...
Ruby smiled sheepishly and took his hand, "Yeahhh... I'm pretty short." He helped hoist her in before stepping in behind her. She kept a mental note of how small her hand was compared to his.
They sat near the back, with Ruby begging to be in the seat closest to the window, and Maria sat next to her. Remy sat on the other side of the row due to the layout on the bus, and Ruby used this as an opportunity, pulling out her phone and snapping a picture with her and Maria, though, Maria was glancing away, a placid smile on her face.
Click!
Ruby quickly started typing up the message with the picture, and sent it, right as the bus started to move and head up to the gardens.
Text from Ruby
Hey sis, guess what!?
Text from Sami
What? You get your hands on
one of those popcorn buckets
you wanted?
Text from Ruby
Even better!
I found Maria!
Text from Sami
YOU WHAT?!
Text from Ruby
Yeah! She's been on an art tour this
whole time! What are the chances?!
Text From Sami
Ruby. People don't just leave
on art tours without telling
people. Something is clearly--
But Ruby didn't answer, nor read the ending of her sisters sentence. With there not going to be a lot of cell service at the gardens, Sami was left to her own thoughts and concerns. Why now would Maria show up? Why? Sami had so many questions, and it sure as hell distracted her from her day job.
Ruby glanced over at Maria and then Remy past her. Both seemed distracted by something.
I hope Sami isn't calling the police... or is mad at me. "So, um..." What does she say...? Nothing felt right. "Do you have partners... or?"
"Sort of?" Maria blushed remembering Vivienne, but their relationship was a bit... confusing.
"Single as ever, but what about you? I'm sure you have a line of potential lovers awaiting at your front doorstep each morning." Remy could always find ways to make Ruby's face turn red. It was so simple, so easy...
Maybe too easy.
"O-oh um... N-not I'm not seeing anyone...! Not that Sami approves of a lot of my romances..." Ruby twiddled her fingers in anticipation.
"Ah yes, Sami. Your older sister right? How is she doing?" Couldn't hurt for more intel! Get it Remy.
"She's fine. Working herself to death to make ends meet, but fine." Ruby smiled, "She's like a nagging mom."
"Still?" Maria interjected, "I thought she was finally giving you a break."
"Not after I almost failed a test before this trip..." Ruby sighed, "Which sucks real bad, I studied hard for that thing!"
Just then, Zoe radioed into the pair as Ruby lamented her school troubles.
"She's sent a picture of you both to her sister. Maria, your the main focus, and Remy, you don't look that associated, but you're both still present in it." Zoe sighed.
"Seriously?" Remy whispered when he got the chance.
"That was quick, I didn't even notice." Maria breathed out.
"Don't panic. I've already disabled some things on her phone from here. If she takes anymore pictures they'll be sent to a file on my computer."
Right. So at least if this flops, we will still have some good memories... Maria managed to mask her saddened expression. She glanced over to Remy to see his reaction.
Remy remained his usual stoic self as he fluffed and straightened up some of his hair. "If she's going to snap pictures, at least wait until I at least look more presentable." He was masking too.
"Barf." Zoe commented.
"You may not have tastes in my direction, but the gem of the hour does." He hushly responded back.
"Anyway... I finally got caught up with one of my newer anime fixations...!" Ruby was quite proud, it had been a while since she got to do that!
"Which one?" Maria tilted her head, channeling back into the focus of Ruby herself.
"It's brand new, I doubt you had time to hear about it... Unless you had some free time. I made a painting of one of the hottest characters."
"I saw. It looked very cool." Maria smiled.
"Was that the white haired man with the beautiful blue eyes?" Remy butted back in, "The detail was phenomenal, I almost thought they were real."
"You did...?! I thought I made them too dark looking to match the character...!" Ruby got all red again.
"Don't fret, They looked fine. It matched the rest of the style for your painting." Maria rubbed her back.
"If you say so... I guess..." Ruby stared out the window as the bus went up the winding hills until they finally pulled in at a bus stop near the summit.
The area in question was moderately populated, everyone excited for the same reason: A rare bloom of wisteria in November. Without it, the gardens would be closed to the public until next Spring.
"Wowww..." Ruby was impressed as they stepped off the shuttle bus.
"We haven't even gotten to the actual gardens yet." Maria chuckled to herself.
"I heard it's quite beautiful." Remy chimed.
"Then let's get going...!" Ruby started following some of the other patrons that were on the bus with them towards the entrance of the first tunnel of flowers. Stopping in her tracks right as she could clearly see into it.
"Holy shit." Maria breathed as she came up behind Ruby.
"We certainly don't have this back home..." Remy stood beside them.
The tunnel seemed like it stretched forever, with the beauty of the wisteria flower in all shades of purple flowing down from the woven rooftop wired planters, the sun shining through it making it seem almost unreal, like that of a portal to another dimension.
"It's even better than pictures." Ruby watched as the pair behind her slowly entered, parting ways to explore on their own.
Wait! Who do I go with?! Ruby's mind raced as she watched Remy get farther, but wanting to have a moment of a heart to heart with Maria again. What do I-
Just as she started to feel a slight panic rising in her stomach, a small child walking with his mother dropped a toy he was carrying.
Oh! Ruby sped walk to the small toy, going picking it up. It was a white rabbit stuffed animal. She leant to reach for it, but as she did, her hand collided with a familiar one.
Remy secured ahold of the plush bunny as Ruby stiffened. "Saw it too, eh? You have a beautiful heart." Remy winked as he leant back up to follow after the mother.
Beautiful heart?! Ruby slowly rose from her crouched position, watching Remy walk after the woman.
Remy flagged her down before greeting her. "Sumimasen, anata no kodomo wa kore o otoshita to omoimasu." He held the toy out to the woman.
He speaks Japanese too?! I can only read some basic kanji so far! Ruby was impressed. How many languages does he know?!
The mother bowed apologetically. "Ah!... gomen'nasai, dōmo arigatōgozaimashita!" She apologized profusely.
Remy brushed it off. "Mondainai." And with that he turned on a heel and walked back to Ruby, acting as if it was just some normal action. "Something wrong?" A playful little grin crept up onto his lips.
Ruby was a bit too stunned to speak, "N-no not at all...!" Ruby rubbed her arm as she headed over to Maria. So awkward! Do better Ruby! Do not embarrass yourself in front of him!
"I'm getting so much inspiration here, honestly." Maria said, knowing Ruby would understand.
"I feel you." Ruby closed her eyes as she took a breath in, her focus snapping when she felt someone gently take her hand.
"I did miss you a lot, y'know." Maria said. "Two friends." She said it in a way that had a melody in there.
Ruby's eyes shot open as she looked at Maria, "True friends." She smiled, knowing the song immediately.
"On a perfect day." The duo harmonized quietly, paying mind to the others enjoying and appreciating the scenery around them.
As Maria laughed a little, Ruby took note on how different Maria was, how she carried herself. She was much more confident now than before, when she suddenly disappeared.
It made Ruby smile, but also feel some form of self pity, and she slunk away to briefly look at her phone, and check some messages her sister had sent back.
Text from Sami
Ruby, something is clearly
wrong. You need to leave
them, now. Come home. We
Have to talk about this.
Are you kidding? Come home and leave Maria behind?! Ruby's thoughts bordered on anger. I am NOT leaving Maria. Not after I just found her! Never! Ruby left Sami on read, setting off to get a picture in the gardens with Remy and Maria, trying to prove a point that everything was fine. She trusted Maria dearly, and wasn't going to let her sister ruin another relationship with how overprotective she is.
"Ruby?" Maria was a bit confused as to why Ruby's expression was so tight when she walked with her to get Remy.
"It's fine." Ruby said, mostly to herself as she walked up in front of Remy. Maria wouldn't lie to me! ...Right?
"Eh?" Remy was also a bit put off, "Ma Cherie, don't look so sour. What's wrong?"
"Sorry, But I want to take a picture with you both while we're here!" Ruby's expression softened. "I want to hold onto this memory forever."
Maria and Remy exchanged some glances. Some of which were ones of slight worry...
It made Ruby feel a little twinge in her gut. But she ignored it. "So?"
"Sure, why not?" Remy shrugged and slowly slid Ruby's phone from her hand and pulled up the camera.
Maria seemed a little surprised as Remy held it high, a nice angle to get them all in the picture.
Ruby was also shocked as he pulled them both close and more into the frame.
"Come on ladies, it won't be fair if I'm the only one smiling!" Remy grinned.
Maria and Ruby shrugged at each other before giving beaming smiles as Remy snapped the picture, handing Ruby her phone back afterwards.
Ruby scrolled to find the photo, beaming afterwards. "So cool."
The rest of the garden tour lasted in quiet conversations, many sweet and gentle. And before they knew it, It was time to go, travel back and go rest. The day's walk finally wearing onto them.
"All of those flowers were beautiful, but..." Remy's slips turned back into that playful little smirk he gets. "But I think I still prefer the rose right in front of me."
Ruby's face flushed again. "R-Remy." She tried to scold, but it just came off as a embarrassed stutter. Don't be a mess. Flirt back! He's waiting on an answer! "You... you're..." Shit!
Remy watched her with curious eyes, "'I'm?' 'I'm??' Come on now. You can do it."
No I can't, I can barely form words! Ruby just stared, "Heh..." How do you do this so smoothly, Remy?!
Remy chuckled a bit as Maria cleared her throat to gain their attention.
"The bus is here. Let's go." Maria hopped on as soon as the doors opened.
The pair followed her on, taking a seat near the back like before.
"So, Ruby, where are you staying?" Remy was sitting with them this time, only in the seat in front of them, as close as he could get.
"O-oh! Just one of the more unknown hotels with a hot spring in it... I was debating on trying it out tonight..." Ruby poked her fingers together.
"Why don't we join you?" Remy spoke up proudly, catching Maria by surprise.
"Wait what? What about your own hotel reservation??" Ruby was also appalled.
"Don't worry about it. Where you're staying sounds much better."
"I-I suppose I have some extra room in my hotel room..." Ruby blushed.
Maria just stared at Remy. What are you doing?! She thought, mentally cursing him for such a sudden change in their plans.
"It'll be fine! Thank you so much for having us." Remy was clearly up to something, he just couldn't show his hand just yet.
"No problem...! Hanging out with you guys... it's lovely!" Ruby was over the moon, and she gripped Maria's hand happily.
Maria nodded, "Yeah...! No problem!" Though she was currently screaming at Remy mentally, she also could thank him for the opportunity.
This time, when the bus stopped, the trio separated, Ruby giving the duo the address to her hotel, and then leaving to go and prepare for Remy and Maria, and then Remy and Maria going back to the penthouse to tell Leon he was going to be lonely for a little while.
Remy flew the penthouse door open when they arrived, "Oh, Leon! Our lovely man-mountain! We have returned."
"Please don't call me that." Leon was reading in the living area, some dinner he made for himself sitting nearby. "You both look happy... What's up?"
"We found Ruby!" Maria exclaimed proudly.
"And we're gonna be bunking with her for the next two days." Remy followed up Maria's declaration.
"Wait, what?" Leon looked surprised. "Why are you going to stay with her?"
"Well for one, we have to let her excitement of being around me die down before we can ask her the big question..." Maria explained.
"And it'll make Jett itch just that much more." Remy smiled innocently, like a child who was trying to convince their parents they didn't do anything wrong.
"I heard that!" Oh right. Jett and the others were still doing long distance calls.
"Sorry, he kinda barged in here when I mentioned the whole hotel thing." Zoe sounded tired. "He's like a big baby."
"Am not." Jett replied, "Remy, don't fuck this up." For once, Jett sounded serious.
"I don't plan to." Remy replied, "I know the balance of her heart already. It's gonna be a tough choice for her."
"Can you do me a favor?" Zoe asked.
"What kind?" Remy replied.
"For the love of all things stolen, stop flirting so much. She's of no use to us if all you're going to do is just keep making her a babbling idiot." Zoe's tone was flat as a board.
"I know, I know. She's lovesick. It's such a pity, honestly." Remy was making himself some late dinner. "I know what I'm doing. Let me do my job, and you do yours."
"Don't fuck this up." Zoe reiterated before retiring her mic for the day.
Remy stared at the dish he was making in thought for a few minutes. "I won't." He mumbled as he finished it up.
"The gardens were beautiful Leon. You would have loved them." Maria already had a small bag packed to bring over to Ruby's place, so she was waiting for Remy to finish up by talking to the driver.
"Oh?" Leon perked. "Tell me more."
"Well most of the only things growing were the Wisteria, most flowers were out of season. But the tunnels Leon. It was all around and so pretty! You should have come with us."
"I know, I know... I just didn't want to scare her, alright?" Leon rubbed the back of his neck, "Maybe I'll go myself tomorrow, since your both moving to her place for the next few days."
"Yeah... Really sorry about that..." Maria kicked back right as Remy came out.
"Made enough for the three of us. Let's go." Remy seemed a bit off from usual.
"Uh... Okay." Maria hopped up and gave Leon a hug, "See you in two days, buddy."
Leon hugged back, "Be safe you two, call if you need anything."
"We will." Remy waved as he and Maria headed down the streets to Ruby's hotel.
"Gahhhhh!" Ruby was running all around her hotel room making sure it didn't look as lived in as she already made it, "I should have been getting ready for them! Not getting dressed for the onsen!" She threw some dirty clothes into her designated bin for them.
Ruby's stomach growled, snarling at her and reminding her of what else she had forgotten.
"Uuuugh! And I need dinner!" Ruby sat on the living space couch to take a brief break. They could be here any minute. I don't have time to run out and grab something-
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Ma Cherie, It's us." Remy's voice was clear.
"We brought some food...!" Maria chimed in a bit more muffled.
Dinner! Ruby ran and opened the door. "Welcome welcome!" She stood aside and let them in.
"Nice place." Remy took a look around.
"Yeah this looks real pricey." Maria also looked as she then set her bag down onto the couch.
"It really wasn't, Maria! This way!" Ruby lead them to the bedrooms.
Maria and Remy followed.
"Here, I can put us in here and Remy can have the master bedroom." Ruby's idea made some sense.
"Non non, You can keep the King." Remy waved it off. "In fact, why don't you both have it, I can be in here."
"Are you sure? We could just share room, there's two beds in here." Maria asked
"I mean, If you insist." Remy was one to go with the flow in this thing.
They're very close. Ruby's mind raced, "A-anyway lets go eat first, I'm starving."
"I'm sure you are." Remy's tone had a deeper shift, it made Ruby shiver.
"Y-yeah. Let's go." Ruby ran to the dining hall. He got me again!
"I thought Zoe told you to cool it." Maria gave him a look.
"I am 'cooling it'. It's called a slow burn." Remy carried the bag of food into the kitchenette and finished up preparations there before setting the table.
-
"Dinner was lovely!" Ruby was helping clean up, "thank you for bringing it."
"No problem at all. Consider it my way of paying you back for a wonderful trip today." Remy was heading off to get changed.
"Hey are we allowed to wear swimsuits into the spring?" Maria came out from the bedrooms as Remy entered.
"I don't know. Possibly? Let's just wear them down just in case." Ruby skipped off to her room and closed the door, heading to the bathroom inside to grab it from where she hung it out to dry from when she used it in the hotel pool earlier in the week.
The blue two piece went on smoothly, dry as the day she bought it, fitting perfectly, as if it was made for her. The ruffles that went all around and flowed away from her body suited her personality, and the slits in the bottom over her hips also fit, showing that something could be just as cute as it was sexy.
Ruby grabbed her towel too, and looked herself over in the mirror one last time. Ah, the bun looks like it's gonna fall down at any minute. She whined, "Should be fine." She told herself, and headed back into the living space.
Maria was sitting on the couch, dark hair in a tighter, neater bun with a few too-short strands flowing and framing her face perfectly. She was playing a game or possibly texting on her phone, Ruby couldn't tell which.
"Hey!" Ruby sat beside her. "That swimsuit is new." She took in the floral patterns that decorated Maria's two piece, the top tying in the front just below her sternum.
"Yeah, well so is yours." Maria smirked, playful.
"Touché." Ruby sunk back into the couch, anxiety eating at her stomach. "It suits you well."
"Thanks." Maria seemed genuinely flattered.
"Sorry for any hold up." Remy spoke as he opened the door, slinging his own towel over his shoulder.
"No ru..." Ruby's words died in her throat, blush coating her face.
Remy had no trunks. Just a striped Speedo. White and a dark pink.
"See something you like?" He was back at it again.
Ruby could only nod, biting the inside of her cheek as she averted her eyes. Very little is left to my imagination right now, and he definitely knows it.
"Let's get going." He walked right on by them and to the door, slinging his towel around again, this time like a cloak.
"Right!" The girls chimed together, and did a similar action.
Passing by the lobby, Ruby pointed them in the direction of the hot springs, splitting them by gender, Both went to their respective locations.
Maria and Ruby stayed quiet as they kept going further in, reaching the pre-rinse station, and then seeing a sign banning all clothing, the reasoning being that they want to keep the onsen as sanitary as possible. It made perfect sense.
"Oh well." Maria didn't hesitate to start stripping down as per instruction.
"M-Maria!" Ruby kept her voice quiet enough that it didn't echo too bad, but she turned around before doing the same.
"It's just the rules! Don't bi-panic on me." Maria smirked.
"Well yeah, but still..." Ruby sat down at one of the stations and began the process of the pre-cleanse, and dotting some of the hair clumps that freed themselves from her bun with soap, just in case they risked falling in. I wonder if Remy's doing this stuff... Ruby's face went red again Of course he is. It's the rules. Control yourself Ruby!
As soon as Ruby was done, she took the complimentary towel as she headed out and to the spring itself.
"Wait up," Maria was following behind her, and they walked together.
Outside was perfectly relaxing, and the best part? No other hotel guests had come yet! Talk about a sweet deal. The water steamed a bit, and there was a wooden partition separating the gendered sides.
"Wowww..." Ruby finally started relaxing. "It's so nice."
Maria started slowly slinking herself in, setting her towel on the side behind her. "Feels it too. Get in."
Ruby nodded, dropping hers to her feet and following Maria in. "You're right. It's awesome." Ruby smiled at her before sinking a little deeper, near the wooden wall.
"I could stay in this all day." Maria was leant back against some of the rocks.
But Ruby wasn't listening. I wonder what Remy looks like over there... sprawled out or... shiiiiiitt... Even her breathing got a little quivery. What's he thinking about? Without thinking, she could only reply with what her brain was focused on: "Your friend's hot."
Maria's eyes shot open, a bit surprised at Ruby's sudden speech, before the look on her friends face made her smirk, a gleam of mischief in her brown eyes, "Yeah, he is."
"Your friend is hot." Ruby repeated a bit louder, looking away from Maria.
Suddenly, a voice called out from the other side.
"Thanks! I think he's hot too." Remy's voice was easily recognizable, and boy, he sounded as playful as ever.
Maria giggled a bit as she looked more at Ruby, "Looks like he can hear us."
Joke back! Joke back! Ruby opened her mouth, some sort of retort firm in her mind. "Ah! You... furm...meeeee..." It foiled again, dammit! Brain is mush--Stop trying to flirt back, idiot!
"Ruby... Did you just say 'fuck me'?" Maria stared at her again, not knowing Ruby to get this desperately vocal in the past.
"Hey, if you're offering..." Remy chuckled a bit as he went quiet again.
Ruby choked out even more gibberish as the thought of being in his bed crossed her mind. That or curling up in a hole and dying of embarrassment.
Oh Remy. You're going to be the death of this poor girl.