The café was a charming little spot, its ambiance warm and inviting, with soft music playing in the background and the gentle clinking of cups creating a soothing rhythm. The air was rich with the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and baked pastries, making it a perfect retreat from the bustling world outside. Ruby felt a sense of calm wash over her as she settled into her seat, the cozy atmosphere wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.

Steve was animated, his enthusiasm infectious as he shared his thoughts on the chai latte, but Ruby couldn't help but notice the waitress approaching their table. She was a young woman with a bright smile and an air of familiarity, her eyes lighting up as she recognized Steve. It was clear she knew who he was, and there was a playful glint in her gaze as she leaned slightly closer, her attention focused solely on him. Ruby felt a flicker of amusement at the dynamic, but she remained composed, her focus unwavering.

"What would you like, ma'am?" the waitress asked, her tone friendly yet slightly flirtatious, as if she were trying to impress Steve. Ruby could sense the subtle tension in the air, but she maintained her poise, offering a sharp smile that conveyed both confidence and warmth.

"Caffè latte, please," Ruby replied, her voice steady and clear. The waitress nodded, jotting down the order with a quick flick of her wrist before turning her attention back to Steve, who was still caught up in the moment, oblivious to the playful banter unfolding.

As the waitress walked away, Ruby couldn't help but chuckle softly to herself. It was amusing to see how easily people gravitated toward Steve, but she was determined to keep the focus on their conversation. She leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, tell me more about what you want to create. What's your vision?"

The café buzzed around them, but in that moment, it felt like they were in their own little bubble, the world outside fading away as they delved deeper into their discussion. The warmth of the café, the rich brew of coffee, and the connection they were building made Ruby feel more alive than she had in a long time.

Ruby's eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in closer to Steve, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "Come on, Steve, don't play coy with me. I've seen the way you geek out over those Avengers movies. You've got a whole collection of Funko POP! figures in your room, don't you?"

Steve rolled his eyes good-naturedly, trying to maintain his tough exterior while his face flushed slightly at the mention of his secret passion. "I just...I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a soldier, not some comic book nerd."

Ruby let out a hearty laugh, shaking her head. "Sure, sure. And I'm the Queen of England. But let's be real here - when the world isn't counting on you to save it, what do you really do for fun? Don't you have some secret stash of Marvel comics or action figures hidden away somewhere?"

She winked playfully, enjoying the way Steve's cheeks grew even redder. "I mean, I've seen you sneaking into the comic shop downtown late at night. Don't think I didn't notice. You're a total closet fanboy."

Steve sighed dramatically, giving in to Ruby's teasing. "Fine, okay? Yes, I like the Avengers. Happy now? But it's not like I'm out there cosplaying or anything. It's just a fun way to unwind after a long day of saving the world."

Ruby grinned triumphantly, satisfied that she had pried the secret out of him. "Well, I won't tell anyone your secret. But maybe next time, let's have a movie night and watch some Avengers together. I promise not to judge your collection."

She waggled her eyebrows suggestively, and Steve couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. "You're impossible, Ruby. But fine, deal. But don't expect me to wear a Captain America costume."

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They lingered in the café long after the last customers had departed, the atmosphere still buzzing with the remnants of conversation. Eventually, the waitress gathered her nerve and walked over to their table. "Excuse me, but could I get a picture with you?" she asked Steve, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Ruby couldn't help but roll her eyes; it was evident that these people were genuinely famous, and the attention was becoming a bit much.

Steve and Ruby lingered at the cozy café table long after the last of the other patrons had finished their meals and filtered out into the bustling city streets outside. The low hum of conversation had given way to a tranquil silence, save for the occasional clink of dishware from the kitchen.

Finally, the young waitress, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow of nervous anticipation, approached their table. Tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, she cleared her throat softly before speaking. "I'm terribly sorry to bother you," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of breathless excitement, "but would it by any chance be possible for me to get a photograph with you?" She directed the request towards Steve, her eyes shining with a mixture of reverence and disbelief.

Ruby couldn't help but roll her eyes dramatically at the waitress's question. It was painfully obvious that the couple seated before her were renowned public figures, their fame and celebrity status having long since transcended the confines of this unassuming neighborhood establishment. Despite her annoyance, Ruby understood the young woman's eagerness to capture a memento of this chance encounter with two celebrated individuals.

Steve responded to the waitress's request with a warm, genial nod, the corners of his mouth turning upwards in a friendly smile. Gracefully bending down to bring himself closer to her eye level, he positioned himself beside the young woman, draping one arm casually around her shoulders as she beamed up at him, starstruck. Holding his phone out at arm's length, Steve snapped a quick photo, capturing the waitress's elated expression as she stood beside her celebrity patron.

"Thank you so much, this means the world!" the waitress gushed, her words tumbling out in a hurried, breathless torrent. Clasping her hands together in front of her chest, she flashed Steve an enormous, grateful smile before hastily excusing herself, rushing back to attend to her other tables and duties.

Once the flustered waitress had scurried away, Steve turned to Ruby, offering her his hand with a gentle, affectionate gesture. Ruby accepted his outstretched palm, their fingers intertwining as they rose from the table in unison. Together, the famous couple strolled out of the cozy café, their exit drawing a few lingering glances from the remaining patrons who had witnessed the brief, but memorable, encounter.

Later that afternoon, Steve and Ruby found themselves arriving at a lavish party hosted in honor of a prominent local doctor. As they approached the ornate front entrance, they were greeted by the imposing figure of Tony, his muscular arms crossed firmly over his broad chest.

"You had us worried," Tony declared, his deep voice rumbling with a hint of reproach as his stern gaze settled upon the famous couple.

Ruby, undeterred by Tony's imposing stature or his position of authority, responded with a dramatic roll of her eyes. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, jabbing a slender finger directly into the center of Tony's chest. Despite the fact that she was a renowned empress who could have easily ordered his hand to be severed for such an affront, Ruby showed no signs of deference or concern.

"As if I care about your petty worries," Ruby scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. She held Tony's gaze unflinchingly, her piercing eyes conveying a clear message: she was not to be trifled with, regardless of his perceived power or influence.

The tension in the air was palpable as the two locked horns, their clash of wills playing out against the backdrop of the lavish party unfolding just beyond the threshold. It was clear that Ruby was a force to be reckoned with, her regal bearing and unyielding confidence serving as a stark contrast to Tony's attempts to assert his dominance.

Steve let out a weary sigh, his brow furrowing with a hint of exasperation as he observed the brewing confrontation between Ruby and Tony. "Can you two just wrap it up and let's go inside?" he interjected, his tone tinged with a note of impatience. "I'd much rather be in bed right now; we've got a mission tomorrow," he added, gently tugging on Ruby's arm in an attempt to guide her away from the standoff.

Reluctantly, Ruby relented, allowing Steve to lead her past the imposing figure of Tony and through the ornate entryway. The three of them stepped into the waiting elevator, the confined space filling with a tense, uncomfortable silence as it carried them upwards towards the lavish party.

As the elevator doors slid open, Steve, Ruby, and Tony emerged into the opulent living room, the sounds of the celebration filtering in from the adjacent rooms. The grandeur of the surroundings did little to alleviate the palpable tension that lingered between the trio, each of them seemingly lost in their own thoughts as they navigated the elegant space.

Without a word, Ruby offered a curt nod of acknowledgment to both Steve and Tony before turning and making her way towards the privacy of her own room. The click of her heels against the polished hardwood floor was the only sound that punctuated the heavy silence that had settled over the group.

Once inside the sanctuary of her private quarters, Ruby wasted no time in shedding the elegant dress she had worn for the evening's festivities. With a few deft movements, the intricate fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her clad only in her undergarments. Reaching up, she carefully unraveled the intricate braid that had been meticulously woven into her hair, allowing the silken strands to cascade freely around her shoulders.

Feeling the weight of the day's events finally catching up with her, Ruby sank down onto the plush mattress, her body sinking into the soft, welcoming embrace of the bed. Letting out a deep, contented sigh, she allowed her eyes to flutter closed, her mind and body surrendering to the pull of sleep. Within moments, the renowned empress had drifted off, her slumber deep and uninterrupted, the day's stresses melting away as she succumbed to the restorative power of rest.

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Ruby's slumber was anything but peaceful as the night wore on. Tossing and turning beneath the tangled sheets, she was plagued by a series of vivid, unsettling nightmares that refused to relinquish their grip on her psyche.

In the swirling, disjointed dreamscape, the twisted, sinister visage of Snoke materialized, his features contorted into a malevolent grin. With a chilling sense of purpose, he proceeded to bombard Ruby's subconscious with a barrage of horrific images - her friends, once vibrant and full of life, now lying lifeless and broken, or engulfed in the ravaging flames of destruction.

Ruby's brow furrowed deeply, her expression etched with anguish as she fought against the torment of these nightmarish visions. Her body tensed and thrashed, the tranquility of her sleep shattered by the weight of the dread and anguish that had taken hold of her mind.

Try as she might, Ruby found herself utterly powerless to escape the clutches of these dark, haunting dreams. Snoke's malevolent presence loomed large, his twisted grin a constant, taunting reminder of the suffering he sought to inflict upon her. Ruby's once peaceful sanctuary had become a battleground, as her psyche wrestled against the invasive forces that had taken root within her subconscious.

In the depths of her subconscious, Ruby found herself ensnared in a nightmarish landscape, where the boundaries of reality blurred and terror reigned supreme. The voice echoed ominously, a chilling reminder of her inescapable fate. "You'll never be free of me, Ruby, little doll," it taunted, each word dripping with malice. The speaker's presence loomed large, a dark specter entwined with her very essence, a constant reminder of her lineage and the shadows cast by her father.

As the dream twisted and contorted, the horrifying images of her friends—once vibrant and full of life—began to dissolve into the ether. Yet, just as the terror of their broken bodies began to fade, a new horror emerged. Ruby's own visage materialized before her, grotesquely distorted, her head twisted at an unnatural angle. Blood streamed from her wounds, cascading like rivers of despair, painting the ground in a vivid crimson that starkly contrasted with the darkness surrounding her.

The anguished cries of her friends pierced the air, a haunting symphony of grief and horror. Their faces, once familiar and comforting, now reflected pure terror as they beheld the gruesome sight of Ruby's demise. Their eyes, wide with disbelief, mirrored the chaos within her own heart—a heart that wrestled with the monstrous identity that had been thrust upon her.

In that moment, Ruby felt the weight of the galaxy's rejection pressing down on her, a suffocating reminder that she was seen as a monster, forever tainted by the shadows of her past. The dream spiraled deeper into despair, a relentless cycle of fear and anguish, leaving her to grapple with the haunting truth: she was trapped, both by her own nature and the relentless grip of the darkness that sought to consume her.

"Just watch as your life slips away, doll. You will be mine. The darkness has already claimed you," Snoke leered, his voice a sinister whisper that slithered through the shadows of her mind. The words wrapped around Ruby like a suffocating shroud, each syllable dripping with malevolence. His presence was a palpable weight, pressing down on her spirit, a reminder of the insidious power he wielded.

In that moment, Ruby felt the ground beneath her tremble, as if the very fabric of her reality was unraveling. The darkness he spoke of loomed large, a swirling abyss that threatened to engulf her whole. She could almost feel its cold fingers reaching out, tugging at her essence, seeking to pull her into its depths. Panic surged within her, a desperate fight against the inevitable, but Snoke's laughter echoed in her ears, a cruel melody that drowned out her resolve.

"You think you can escape?" he taunted, his eyes glinting with a predatory hunger. "You are bound to me, to this fate. The galaxy will see you for what you truly are—a vessel of darkness."

Ruby's heart raced as she struggled against the chains of despair that threatened to bind her. She could see the flickering remnants of her former self, the light that once shone brightly now dimmed by the shadows that encroached upon her. The realization struck her like a lightning bolt: the battle was not just for her life, but for her very soul.

"No!" she cried out, defiance igniting within her. "I will not be yours!" But even as the words left her lips, she felt the tremors of doubt creeping in, the chilling truth that Snoke's grip was tightening, and the darkness was ever so eager to claim her.

She groaned as the dream suddenly shifted, the oppressive weight of terror lifting like a fog dissipating in the morning light. It was no longer a nightmare; instead, it transformed into something surreal, a strange dream conjured by the Force, something better. The atmosphere around her softened, colors blooming with an ethereal glow, and the shadows receded, replaced by a sense of warmth and intimacy.

In this altered reality, she found herself standing before Kylo Ren, who was on his knees before her, his head nestled between her thighs. The sight was both unexpected and disarming, a stark contrast to the darkness that had enveloped her moments before. His presence was magnetic, a blend of vulnerability and strength that drew her in, igniting a flicker of hope within her heart.

Ruby felt a rush of emotions—confusion, desire, and an undeniable connection that pulsed between them. The air was thick with unspoken words, a tension that crackled like electricity. She could see the conflict in his eyes, a reflection of her own turmoil, yet there was also a glimmer of something deeper, a yearning that transcended their tumultuous past.

"What is this?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile beauty of the moment. The dream felt alive, pulsating with the energy of the Force, weaving their destinies together in a way that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

Kylo looked up at her, his expression a mixture of reverence and longing. "This is a glimpse of what could be," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "A chance to break free from the chains that bind us."

In that moment, Ruby felt the weight of her fears begin to lift, replaced by the intoxicating possibility of connection. The darkness that had threatened to consume her now felt distant, overshadowed by the light that flickered between them. Yet, even as she embraced this new reality, a part of her remained wary, aware that dreams could be deceptive, and the line between hope and despair was perilously thin.

His tongue then lapped at her bundle of nerves, and Ruby groaned softly, arching her back in response. "Oh, Kylo," she breathed, the sensation sending ripples of warmth through her body. The dream felt surreal, a blend of intimacy and vulnerability that enveloped her like a gentle embrace.

In that moment, the world around them faded, leaving only the two of them suspended in a cocoon of shared connection. Ruby's heart raced, caught between the thrill of the experience and the uncertainty of what it all meant. She felt alive, every nerve ending tingling with a mix of pleasure and anticipation, as if the Force itself was guiding them toward something profound.

"Stay with me," she whispered, her voice a delicate plea, wanting to hold onto this fleeting moment of closeness, to explore the depths of their bond without the shadows of their past looming over them.

Kylo smiled, his big hands reaching up to cradle her breasts with a gentle reverence. "I will always be with you, Master," he said, his voice low and filled with sincerity. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down Ruby's spine, igniting a sense of safety and connection that she had longed for.

In that moment, the complexities of their past seemed to fade away, replaced by an understanding that transcended words. Ruby felt a rush of emotions—trust, desire, and an unspoken promise that they would navigate whatever challenges lay ahead together. The dream wrapped around them like a soft blanket, cocooning them in a world where they could simply be, free from the burdens of their reality.

"Together," she replied softly, her heart swelling with a mix of hope and determination. The bond they shared felt stronger than ever, a tether that pulled them closer, urging them to embrace the possibilities that lay before them.

She felt a wave of pleasure wash over her, more intense than anything she had ever experienced before. It surged through her, leaving her breathless as she surrendered to the moment. The sensation was overwhelming, a bright light that filled her senses, and she felt a warmth trickle down her thighs, a sign of the intensity of her release.

Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the world around her faded into blackness, enveloping her in a soft, comforting darkness. It was as if she had been transported to another realm, one where the weight of her worries and fears melted away, leaving only the echoes of the connection she had shared with Kylo.