The year is 2014, it's the 18th of December. It's the middle of winter, somewhere around 9PM. And what was Belle doing? Just reading Jules Verne's The Mysterious Island. Yes, she was just lying in bed, in her pyjamas, reading. She'd pick up one book after another, unable to put them down.
The library had to be rebuilt (nobody was sure if it was a few years ago or recently) as it was part of the clocktower. Why? Because it had been part of someone's home, a ship. That would explain the shade of blue. But now she's left, leaving part of her own library behind for the sake of giving them new reading material.
But that left her without the library, living with Ruby. Loving Ruby. Ruby.
She was waiting. Waiting for her. No more Rumple, no more Rumple, no more Rumple-
No more.
There was a distinct THUMP at the door... she'd heard a series of noises beforehand, but this was
"It's unlocked." The door opened fast, leaving her totally unprepared for what landed on her... "Ruby!" So much fur, warmth, weight, and a warm, rough tongue against her face.
Cold fur, but still so soft. Giving off so much warmth, a soft growl, as if to acknowledge her. So much weight against her, Belle barely had time to stop her book being crushed against her.
"Ruby. I love you, but you're crushing me."
The wolf pulls back a little, looking her straight in the eyes... giving Belle a face full of a wet nose.
It's all the wolf can think of. Belle's warm, she's cute, she's happy, she's warm, she's happy, she's warm, she's... Belle.
Liquid gold eyes met hers, clearly tired, movements sluggish. She can't help but try and get her arms around the wolf, the red cloak out of reach. They don't need it.
A soft huff leaves Ruby, and Belle feels at home. Ruby came home.
“I love you.”
She gets one of the softest growls she’d ever heard in response.
Ruby gently secured her teeth in a soft blanket, trying to roll over, an attempt to pull it over them both, only to be stopped by Belle’s hand, then the feeling of it brushing against her. She’s never going to be used to that.
She’s had her run through the woods, all the freedom she could ever want, ideas for a future together brushed out of her mind by the feeling of Belle.
The smell of books filled her nose. She can hear herself breathe, but all she can focus on is Belle.
What could go wrong if they’re together?
When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.
One big adventure… each other.