♥

THE MOON HAD RISEN AS RUBY Baker stood in the treelines of a trailer park, staring at one caravan that had become a permeant home for her younger brother.

Ruby was waiting for the signal: the dinosaur night light in the window.

As she waited, Ruby had smoked, using it more as a distraction from her mind. It had been a few days since Ruby had last seen Chase, which was now too long after everything. Already, it had taken Ruby a few months to get to him in Hawkins since she had been stuck on crutches.

When the night light finally appeared, it was coming up to nine in the evening — a time when her brother should be asleep, even on a weekend. Ruby breathed in the last toke of her cigarette before putting it out.

Shoving her hands deep in the pockets of her denim jacket, Ruby headed towards the caravan. A box remained outside as Ruby dropped her rucksack on the floor before she stepped up onto the box, raising her fist to knock quietly on the glass window. Having heard his sister, Chase Baker's innocent face appeared with a smile so bright that it warmed Ruby's heart.

The five-year-old struggled to open the window, but when he did, he reached out, taking Ruby's hand.

"Ruby, you came," Chase said in pure delight. "Is it time?"

With her heart aching, Ruby shook her head. Seeing her brother's joy evaporate made it harder for Ruby to find the words. If it was down to her, Chase would not be here.

"Listen, Chase," said Ruby, squeezing his tiny hand. "It's complicated, okay?"

"I want to go home with you," Chase whined. "I don't like it here!"

His bottom lip wobbled, tears welling in his eyes. Ruby knew Chase missed their dad too that only made Ruby feel guiltier.

This was all her fault.

Ruby did not have the heart to tell him that their small family home already had a new family living inside, oblivious to what had happened to the Baker's. For Ruby, she currently had no home, and Chase was stuck with his shitty mom until Ruby found a way to take him in herself.

"I know, but there are rules," Ruby told him.

"You always broke Daddy's rules," Chase pointed out.

"These are rules with the police."

"Daddy said you got in trouble with the police."

"That was a while ago," Ruby was quick to reply, hating how foolish she had been to have shoplifting on her record now when it could risk her custody case. "These rules are different."

"What kind of rules?"

"Rules like you have to stay here until I can prove that I can look after you," Ruby explained.

"Can't I just tell them?" Chase asked. "I want to be with you."

"I wish it was that easy," said Ruby, smiling sadly. "Look, I've got this figured out, okay? I'm starting a job tomorrow, so I'll find somewhere for us to live soon. I just need you to wait a little longer. Can you do that for me?"

Chase frowned, but eventually, he nodded his head.

"I promise you that when I have this all sorted, I'm gonna get you the biggest dinosaur I can find," Ruby promised him.

"A Sauropoda," Chase said.

"I'll find you a Sauropoda," Ruby smiled, adoring her little brother.

Chase laughed with Ruby quick to place a finger to her mouth, reminding him that he had to be quiet before they were caught.

"A real one?"

"I can't promise you that, Chase," Ruby said. "A real dinosaur wouldn't fit in our house."

But it warmed Ruby's heart to see that his joyful smile had returned, where Chase was completely oblivious to the dark realities of the world. Chase did not know that it was all Ruby's fault as to why he had lost everything and Ruby was selfish enough to keep it that way.

Leaving Chase was hard, but Ruby had no choice but to tell him to go to sleep. With the night creeping, the temperature had dropped as Talia pulled her denim jacket tighter around herself. The place she had hoped to crash at tonight was across Hawkins in another trailer park, so it was a long walk for Ruby. A walk that caused her leg to ache, knowing that the chill didn't help either.

It was around eleven when Ruby arrived, knocking quietly on the door of a caravan. Bounding with energy, Eddie Munson opened the door, dark brown eyes widening as he spotted Ruby.

As he grinned, so did Ruby.

"Look who finally came home," said Eddie, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folding across his chest. "I never thought I'd see you again, Little Red."

"Surprise," Ruby responded, not knowing what else there was to say. "Don't suppose you have a spare sofa?"

There was a hint of confusion, unknowing why Ruby would need to crash at his. The last time they had spoken, Ruby had been forcing him out of her bedroom before the two were discovered. Eddie was supposed to have come to Ruby's party, but he had not turned up, having never given Ruby a reason why or even a goodbye, so she had not heard from him again.

And now here they were.

"Anything for you," Eddie replied.

♥

Ruby had woken early the next morning, having stuck to Eddie's small sofa as she had promised herself. Of course, Eddie's uncle had been alarmed to discover a young woman crashing at theirs come the morning but had allowed it.

Though, with a yawn, Ruby's eyes opened to find Eddie again. The man had risen for the day, standing in the kitchen as the kettle boiled.

"Coffee?" Eddie offered.

Ruby smiled. "Sure."

"I, uh, tried to clean the bathroom up as much as I could," said Eddie, sounding awkward, unknowing how to accommodate their guest — a female one at that. "Feel free to use it."

"Thanks," Ruby replied.

"How's your leg this morning?" Eddie asked.

At the mention of her problematic limb, Ruby tensed up, mind briefly falling back to that night when her life had fallen apart. Though, Ruby's nails dug into the palm of her hands, forcing the memories to stay buried.

"It's fine," said Ruby, unbothered.

Eddie pressed his lips together, returning to finishing up the coffee for the two as he had quickly learnt that it was better not to question what had happened.

Last night, after Ruby had arrived, they had sat outside the trailer on the steps. The two had smoked, and Ruby had given Eddie a very, very brief rundown of her situation — mainly just stating that Chase was back with his mom and her dad had died, where Ruby had ended up in the hospital alone for a while.

"Shit," Eddie had summarised. "That's fucked."

"Welcome to my life," muttered Ruby, forcing a smile as her eyes had fallen on him again. "I see you haven't changed much, other than a few tattoos."

"Still the same old Eddie," he confirmed, smiling too but it was just as forced. But, as his eyes fell on Ruby, the smile softened. "Though, I'm glad you showed up."

Ruby met his gaze, surprised."Really? Why's that?"

"Hawkins was getting a little boring without you."

"I don't believe that in the slightest."

Now, Ruby's eyes remained on Eddie as he brought over two mugs of coffee, and sat down next to her. Accepting it, Ruby stared down at the mug. Being back in Hawkins — back to familiar people from her old life — felt too strange to Ruby, where it was all overwhelming.

"So, do you want me to drop you off at your job?" Eddie offered.

Again, Ruby felt her heart shrivel up, lungs burning with the mere thought of getting in a car again. The coffee mug in her hand tipped with Ruby just about catching it, but the coffee had touched her skin with the hot liquid turning her pale skin pink.

"Shit," muttered Ruby. "Sorry."

Eddie shrugged, unbothered about the mess. "You all good?"

"Yeah," Ruby answered, using the sleeve of her jumper to wipe up the spilt coffee. Then, she turned to the wavy-haired man, starting to think that reaching out to him had been a mistake. "Look, Eddie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come last night. You've already let me crash here, so you don't have to drive me to work too."

"Hey, I get it," Eddie told her with another hint of a smile, which caused Ruby to look away, knowing he had seen right through her. "I don't have to drive you anywhere if you don't want me to. Just... come back when you finish, okay? They'll still be a sofa here again for you tonight."

Ruby met his gaze again, finding herself relax. "Really?"

"Just on one condition," Eddie added.

"I don't have much money at the moment..."

"I don't want your money," said Eddie, smile brightening.

Ruby scowled. "I'm not joining Hellfire."

Eddied laughed at that. "Relax, I'm not gonna ask you to join," he reassured her. "Just, on Tuesday, come see me play. Our band is playing at the Hideout, so come."

"Depends what kind of music you are playing," Ruby teased.

"Don't even suggest Billy Joel," Eddie told her, where the artist caused a mixture of emotions for Ruby now. "Once was more than enough for me."

Ruby laughed at that, feeling so disconnected from the two teenagers from the past that had once fooled around with each other.

Seeing her laugh, Eddie was encouraged.

"Come," said Eddie again.

"Fine," Ruby agreed. "I'll come, but I have my own conditions."

"Other than crashing at mine?"

"That," said Ruby. "And I can't get caught in anything illegal, Eddie. Underage drinking is one thing, but... anything else, and I'll be leaving. I can't risk losing Chase."

"No worries, Little Red," Eddie reassured her. "I'll keep you pure."

Though Ruby couldn't quite trust him with that, but maybe she trusted in herself enough to get away if needed. Finishing up her coffee, Ruby headed to the small bathroom to change for the day before leaving.

As she left, a part of her felt at ease that she had somewhere to go back to once her shift had finished. However, there was that gut feeling that Ruby did not think it was the smartest of plans — knowing herself, Ruby already knew she was walking a tightrope, trying to stay upright, but she'd end up falling into Eddie Munson's bed.

Ruby was trying to resist screwing up again, but it was hard. Just like all those years ago, Ruby's mind had fought the same battle that she had lost. Eddie, who had no experience with girls before that, had been more than welcoming to the idea of them sleeping together. Yet, maybe Ruby had fucked up their friendship back then, and now she was going to do the same again.

So, maybe Ruby shouldn't return. After all, leaving would be sparing Eddie too.

Right now, though, her mind needed to be focused on her new job. When she arrived at the Family Video store, she realised that she was the second to arrive for the day. The shop was already open as the bell rang, causing the young girl behind the cashier's desk to look upwards, mouth parting in surprise.

"Uh, hi," said Ruby, feeling awkward. "Is Keith around? I'm Ruby, the new girl. I'm starting today."

"Oh shit," the girl mumbled. "You are the Ruby."

Ruby frowned at that. "I am?"

"Robin Buckley," she introduced herself with a smile.

"Oh, Robin from band?" Ruby remembered briefly from school.

Robin nodded. "That'll be me."

"I don't know if you remember me," said Ruby. "We used to go to school together."

Robin's grin seemed to widen. "I know who you are, you were best friends with Steve Harrington."

Ruby flinched upon hearing his name. "Yeah, well, it took me a while to realise what an asshole he is."

"Oh dear," Robin responded, trying to hide her smile. Then she's standing, not giving Ruby a chance to question what was so amusing. "Keith's not here, but he asked me to train you. I'll show you the back, where you can change into your uniform and leave your bag."

"Thanks," said Ruby, following behind her new colleague.

Already, Ruby was fidgeting with her fingers, anxious to be associated with anyone from school. While Ruby had graduated a couple of years ago, she had not stayed in touch with anyone, and Ruby wanted the past to remain in the past — including Eddie.

As long as she didn't bump into Steve, then Ruby could find a way to cope.

The green waistcoat looked ridiculous over Ruby's maroon striped t-shirt. In the mirror, Ruby tried to adjust the too large uniform, knowing there was nothing she could do to make it look decent. She stared at the golden nose ring, wondering if she should take out her piercing, but Robin had not said anything. After all, it was just a casual job at a video store.

As Ruby returned to the storefront, she paused with her heart hammering to a stop.

"You know what, the next girl I see is gonna be the one."

Ruby recognised that voice, causing her breathing to hitch.

No, no, no, no, no.

"You said that last time," Robin replied.

"I mean it this time," said Steve Harrington.

Of course, Ruby wanted to run — the moment she heard his voice, her brain instantly fell into flight mode. But, for Chase, Ruby needed this job, where she could not afford the delay between jobs again.

Ruby bravely walked towards the cashier counter, where the two other employees were standing. Catching Ruby joining them, Robin's blue eyes fell on her first, where Steve was leaning on the counter with his back facing her. Robin offered Ruby an apologetic smile, already grimacing, unknowing how the reunion would go.

For Ruby, it would quite simply be hell.

Sensing Robin's attention was elsewhere, Steve's head turned, and hazel orbs fell on Ruby for the first time in two and a half years. If Robin was shocked before, Steve was stunned to silence, irises softening with a series of emotions that caused Ruby to turn away from him.

"Ruby?" Steve frowned, more confused than anything. "What are you doing here?"

"Surprise," Robin murmured.

Ruby crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to answer Steve's question. An awkward silence hung between them with Ruby ignoring Steve, still refusing to look at him. Though, his irises were stuck on her, looking ridiculous with his shock.

"Ru?" Steve questioned.

"Don't call me that," Ruby snapped at him, finding the nickname a fuse to the ticking bomb inside her.

"So, you both hate each other," Robin summarised. "Wonderful."

"Yes."

"No."

Finally, Ruby looked at her old best friend with a fiery glare that caused him to flinch. Even in the last couple of years, Steve had not changed in the slightest — other than his hair. The locks had gotten longer, reminding Ruby of how much time had passed between them.

"Any reason why?" Robin pressed, becoming nosy.

"Because we slept with each other," said Ruby, bluntly.

"That's not it," Steve argued.

"That'll do it," Robin commented.

Still looking at Ruby, Steve sighed. "I don't hate you, Ruby."

"You know what," Ruby decided. "I really don't give a shit, Steve."

It was a lie — an obvious one at that. Maybe Ruby did care, but more because she had lost her best friend than Steve rejecting her. Now, though, Ruby's stony gaze had fallen on Robin, who was now quick to start her induction properly.

Ruby's first job was an easy one: stacking the shelves. The videotapes were all in alphabetical order, so Ruby picked up the job by herself without Robin's aid. Later, Ruby would get to learn the cashier register, which seemed more exciting than putting tapes back on the shelf.

"Ruby?" 

Hearing her name caused Ruby to jump as she knocked over the videotapes from the trolley. "Jesus, Steve," Ruby hissed, dropping to the floor to pick up the few tapes. "What do you want now?"

"Do you need any help?" Steve asked.

"I think I have this," Ruby told him. "How hard can putting videos back be?"

"Yeah, good point," said Steve, where his eyes lingered on Ruby, knowing what he was staring at: the scar on the left side of her forehead. Self-conscious, Ruby turned away from him. "Look, can we talk? Please?"

"I'm working," Ruby snapped.

"Why are you here? What about college?"

Ruby ignored him, continuing to put the videos back on the shelf a little too aggressively, but Steve followed her like a clueless, clingy puppy. Gritting her teeth together, Ruby was annoyed that he could not take a hint.

"Ruby?" Robin called out.

Turning, Ruby's eyes fell on her new colleague.

"Let Steve take over," said Robin, saving her. "I can show you the cash register."

Smiling at that, Ruby turned towards a silent Steve, throwing the videotape that was in her hands towards him that he scrambled to catch. The man huffed, becoming frustrated that instantly improved Ruby's mood.

"Have fun, asshole," Ruby told him.

As Ruby joined Robin again, the teenager showed Ruby how to work the cash register as it seemed the same as the previous jobs that Ruby had done before. So far, the only complication was Steve, but Ruby could deal with him.

"It's none of my business," said Robin after a few customers. "But at least hear him out."

Ruby scowled at the words. "I have nothing to say to him."

"Steve is Steve, but he had good intentions," Robin tried.

The words caused Ruby to pause, remembering a time when Steve had acted so dumbly in the past that Ruby had simple rolled her eyes at him, amused more than anything. Steve had always been confident and charming, yet he had always had a heart of gold too. That's why it had hurt when Steve had suddenly cut Ruby out of her life — it was so unlike Steve, but they had fucked things up.

Though, even after sleeping together, there had been no awkwardness in their final moments before Ruby had moved. The tension had come when the phone calls started to decrease and then Steve had failed to visit for Christmas. Ruby had been that foolish, lovestruck girl, who had sat there in their matching Christmas jumper, watching the front door for someone who had never come. Then, when her father had sat down on the stairs with her — silently knowing too — Ruby had turned to him with tears in her eyes, unable to speak but her father had understood.

Looking back over to Steve now, Ruby caught him watching her again — appearing all doe-eyed as if he was innocent. Having been caught, Steve knocked the tapes over as he hurried to pick them up again. Next to Ruby, Robin sighed.

♥

Come to the end of Ruby's first shift, Ruby had come to the decision that she liked Robin. The two got on well, enjoying similar films, but Robin couldn't help but tease Ruby's love for the film Grease. Ruby, though, was a sucker for the soundtrack more than the film. During the conversation about school, Ruby had nothing to say as she did not miss that hellhole.

During high school, Ruby had been one to try to get on with everyone. Her popularity came because Ruby could chat easily with anyone, not caring who they were (unless they pissed her off). Steve, on the other hand, had been popular by attraction — including, his close friends Tommy and Carol, who Ruby prayed to never see again.

As her shift had finished, Ruby had headed outside to temporarily dump her bag on a bench as she lit up a cigarette. She sat down, staring out at the parking lot, wondering whether she should take the risk and crash at Eddie's again.

However, as dangerous as Eddie's was, Ruby didn't also want to be reduced to the streets or some random person's place.

Though, Ruby's plans came to a halt as Steve sat down next to her. Ruby sighed, knowing that she couldn't escape him no matter how hard she tried. Looking over, Ruby caught Robin sitting in Steve's car, waiting for him to return, where she made it evidently obvious that she was trying not to watch them.

"What do you want?" Ruby demanded from him.

"You are so snappy," Steve accused.

"Steve, seriously—"

"I get it, I get it!" Steve panicked, having raised his voice slightly as it triggered Ruby to look over at him again as he was watching her, eyes falling to the cigarette that she had placed between her lips once again. "I just don't understand, Ru. Why are you back? Christ, why are you working at a video shop?"

Ruby studied him, exhaling the smoke as she realised that he was truly clueless. Her old best friend was so detached from Ruby's life that he was oblivious to the fact that her dad was dead. If Ruby's heart didn't ache, she would have laughed.

"Chase is back with his mom," Ruby told him, not looking at him.

"What?" Steve questioned, shocked. "Why?"

Ruby pressed her lips together, throwing the remains of the cigarette on the floor as her boot put it out. There was a heavy silence with Ruby feeling the deep ache within her leg, her mind falling back to that fatal night. In her mind, her father's body flashed into view, causing Ruby's hands to tighten into a fist.

"Ru, did something happen?" Steve asked, voice becoming soft, afraid for her answer.

Catching his gaze, Steve's facial expressions dropped as he realised what her glossy eyes meant. A stray tear fell down her cheek as Ruby was quick to wipe it away.

"What happened?" Steve repeated himself.

Ruby happened.

"It doesn't matter, Steve," Ruby said.

"It does matter," said Steve. "I thought you were at college."

"I dropped out."

"You...dropped out?"

"Chase needs me," Ruby stated. "He doesn't want to be in that shit hole, Steve. My dad gave him such a loving home — one I never had as a child, but now..."

Ruby's nails dug into the palm of her skin again, hating the reminder that it was all her fault. If Ruby had just stayed away, then her father would have still been alive. If Ruby had been the one to drive, then the right person would have died.

Next to her, Steve was speechless as his eyes flickered down to Ruby's backpack, starting to put things together.

"Where are you staying?" Steve asked.

Ruby scoffed. "Don't start caring about me now."

"Ru, let me help you," Steve tried.

"No," Ruby stated, getting agitated again.

If he cared, then he would not have left her hopelessly waiting for a phone call or even a letter. Now, he only pretended to care just because Ruby had conveniently fallen back into his life again.

"Just leave," Ruby told him.

"Ru, come on."

"Stop calling me that," Ruby lost her temper. "We are not friends, Steve. Jesus, you haven't even spoken to me in years," then she was glaring at him, her irises fire, but her words ice. "You ditched me as soon as you got yourself a girlfriend."

"That's not—"

Ruby laughed at him. "Where is your girlfriend now, huh?"

Steve sighed. "Ru—"

"Just leave me alone!" Ruby shouted at him, knowing she was causing a scene now.

"Alright, I get it," Steve said, sounding hurt as Ruby refused to even look at him. "I'll go."

Then, finally, Steve stood as he left Ruby by herself again. Picking up her rucksack, Ruby was quick to scurry away, not wanting to let Steve Harrington see her cry.

Behind Ruby, Steve had run a hand through his hair in frustration, watching as Ruby left, clearly upset. Heading back to his car, Steve was not ready for Robin's input.

"So, that looked like it went well," Robin observed as Steve closed the car door.

"I've really screwed up," Steve stated.

"No, shit," Robin replied.

Steve frowned, unknowing what to do.

♥

Even though I know who Ruby ends up with, I love her with them both!