The Ineffable Ruth Rhodes

30 pretty ineffable

ruth

"Dance with me," Vincent asked her softly. "Please."

Ruth looked around, almost ironically.

There was no one around their area, as it was way behind the building and no one really went there, especially not in this rain. The only people she could spot were people across the streets, holding their bags above their heads in the hopes that they'd stay dry as they climbed into their cars.

"Right... here?" she asked. Wrong question. "We'd look like crazy people."

"Oh, baby," he said, scrunching his nose with a faux sympathetic look, "You are a crazy person."

"Yeah but— hey! Wait a second--" she hit his arm lightly, mouth agape.

Vincent laughed, arm still outstretched. "I mean, what kind of person spends $50 on Tim Hortons every month?"

"What kind of person doesn't? It's an investment," she replied, fully serious. Her hand found his.

"I love your mind," he said, fully serious then as well. He moved closer to her, and a drop of water from his now-soaked hair fell on her face. "It's beautiful."

Ruth closed her eyes and sighed, resting the side of her head on his chest before her brain could yell at her to stop. "And I love yours," she told him softly.

He rocked back and forth slowly, humming a song she remembered telling him she loved a while ago, simply in silence. Simply enjoying the others' company as the rain fell, soaking up their hair and clothes. What was the song again?

"After this ends," Vincent started, "What are your plans?"

From that one album...

"I don't exactly have any specific plans..." she trailed off. She didn't have any plans, because she didn't know what she'd do when she had to say goodbye. "You?"

"Me neither."

"Wooow, we're both losers." Maybe we should stay together for a little longer so that we can be losers together.

Then Vincent laughed.

When Vincent laughed, he closed his eyes and usually covered his mouth, but because both his hands were occupied, this time he only leaned in closer so she couldn't see his face fully from where she was standing. He was possibly the definition of endearing. It was low and thick, boisterous but contained. When he laughed, he looked happy. He looked like he belonged to her, somehow. And the thought drove her insane.

She loved his laugh. She loved the way his nose scrunched up and his eyes sparkled, and the way his whole body moved with every laugh. She just watched him.

Oh, she thought then. How would you feel from Divide.

Vincent caught her staring and his laugh dialed down, but his eyes still twinkled. "Is something wrong?"

"You have a very handsome laugh," she told him.

The mischievous look was replaced with one she couldn't quite put a finger on. "You're ineffable."

"In a good way or a bad way?"

"With you," he said, "Good. Always good."

"You're really pretty," Ruth told him, "Probably the prettiest man I've ever seen."

"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he replied simply.

Christ.

She was going to pass out.

She touched her forehead to his chest again and laughed. "You're impossible. Just let me have this one."

"Ruth."

"Hmm."

"Ruth."

"Yes?"

"Look at me."

Ruth peeked up at him with one eye open.

"With both eyes."

She did as he said.

"Can I tell you something?" Vincent asked her, meeting her eyes with a sort of assurance.

"Tell me."

"Will you believe me?"

Ruth tilted her head back and forth, humming. "Debatable."

He laughed. "I'll take it." Then he looked up at the sky and squinted, not meeting her eyes.

"You are so loved," he told her. "More than you know. You don't need to let the things you've been through hold you back from being happy, because you deserve to be happy. You can be happy."

Ruth blinked repeatedly, wondering herself whether the droplets of water running down her face were from the rain or her tears. Vincent noticed it, looking frantic.

"Sorry— did I overstep again?"

"No," she shook her head, deciding the water rushing down her face was definitely her tears. She laughed as she cried. "No, but you know what, Vincent? I think you're pretty ineffable too."

Ruth didn't realize their position had shifted, and his arms had found their place on her waist and hers on his neck with her fingers in his hair.

"I'm glad I met you," he said softly.

"And I, you."