Red Like Ruby (Mostly RubyxDyrroth)

Gods of the Underworld 3

Dyrroth heaved a sigh of relief before tiredly crashing into his bed. The Lord of the Abyss had retired into his room for the day since no spirits are seeking judgment as of lately. It seems that things are rather peaceful for once. The silence is a welcome friend after a whole week of sorting the new tenants of the Underworld due to the war that broke out followed by another famine and of course the usual plague. He needed to sanitize his throne room twice due to the disgusting scent and appearance of those taken by the plague. He knew that when people die they don't take the virus with them in the Underworld but he couldn't care any less about that when someone was still hacking with cough during the trials. The goddess of death herself looked horrified by them more than the chopped-up souls of those who were killed in the war.

Speaking about her, the memory of her pretty face still haunts his mind now and again. Whenever he would get a glimpse of her form delivering the dead to his palace, a swirl of foreign emotions would stir in his stomach making him wonder if he accidentally swallowed some of her butterflies. He would always think about things to say to her but he would instantly swash those thoughts once her fake voice broke the silence of the room to inform him of their new company.

Dyrroth groaned. He has never been this spineless before. He was always confident, arrogant, and bold. There's nothing he wouldn't say to anyone be it an insult or... More insults but when it comes to the Morrigan, to Ruby, he would be utterly speechless and hum a short reply to her words. He would always be devastated when she leaves but he drowns out these feelings with his workload, which isn't so hard to do considering there are infinite things to do in the Abyss.

He removed his armor and all the adornments he wore, carelessly tossing them on the ground before submerging himself into the steaming water the slaves prepared for him. He allowed the water to relax his tensed muscles as his mind wandered to the shy little goddess.

In the end, he never got to spy on Ruby. But he did receive a report from one of his familiars that she's been seeing the god of war a few times whilst speaking amicably. Dyrroth doesn't know why but a sudden pang of something awful suddenly clawed its way to his chest. He has a neutral relationship with Martis but he never really liked him. And this new information made him feel something hostile towards the War God.

A knock suddenly interrupted his thoughts and Karina's voice chimed in soon after. "The goddess of death wishes to speak to you, my lord." she announced behind the closed doors.

Dyrroth instantly brightened due to the information before rising from his bath. He immediately dried himself with a towel before wrapping his body in one of his finest black togas with golden accents. He sealed the fabric on his shoulder with an amethyst brooch, allowing the excess part to hang behind his arm like a cape. He tried fixing his hair in three different hairstyles only to groan angrily before ruffling it to a messy style.

"Let her in." was his immediate reply after fixing his appearance and taking a seat on his cushioned throne. The heavy doors parted open and from the small crack, the goddess of death walked in confidently, and to his disappointment, hidden again under her hood.

"What brings you here after work hours, Goddess of Death? Do you have some debauchery in mind?" he greeted with a formal tone. A coquettish smile stretched naturally in his lips as he watched her shyly bask in his handsome physique. So the little goddess does appreciate manly beauty, he thought.

"It seems that you are preoccupied with personal matters. My apologies, my lord. I shall return another time." He could already imagine the pink blush that decorated her fair cheeks and he relished in knowing it.

"There's no need for formalities. We are friends, after all, you've saved me from being trampled by a dinosaur. I couldn't possibly turn you away for your kindness. Please have a seat." He said gesturing to the empty sofa across from him.

"Friends? Well, I... Uhmm... Of course." Ruby gave him a sincerely happy smile before modestly sitting on the seat provided for her. She took a deep breath before facing him with a formal and refined façade. He nearly scoffed as he saw through her mask. She's trying so hard to act all confident and it was adorable watching her do so. Her behavior is making him more interested in what she has in store for him so he initiated the first contact.

"Care to share some ambrosia with me?" he offered as he poured himself a cup. He noticed the hesitation in her eyes before replying positively to accept his generosity. He knew for a fact that Ruby is never rude and she's a very traditional Goddess who still follows the old rules of generosity. She couldn't refuse anything he asks for now that she's accepted something of his. Good. He'll use that to his advantage.

"Before we begin, could you please take off your cloak? I'm uncomfortable speaking with someone who doesn't show their face. Hiding yourself doesn't particularly spark trust between us, doesn't it?" Although there was some truth to his words, his primary objective was to see her face again.

"If that is what you please." came her simple answer before pulling back her hood and taking off her cloak, folding it ever so gently, and placing it on the sofa beside her. Dyrroth noted her attachment to the object but paid it little mind as he drank in her features. Something foreign fluttered in his chest once more at the sight of her delicate face.

"You are ever so beautiful, goddess. I wonder why you would always put effort in concealing your appearance when you dazzle here in the Abyss."

"I'm flattered but that is a story for another time. But it's nothing more than a simple and boring tale."

"I will be the judge of that." he replied before taking a drink from his cup.

"So, is there something you like to discuss with me? Preferably something that doesn't have anything to do with our duties." Ruby took a little time before replying. Dyrroth guessed that she's still rehearsing in her mind what she needs to say but he just allowed her to take her time. Meanwhile, his eyes traced the lines of her face and memorized every line and curve of her body. If he had any artistic talent, he would gladly paint her for the rest of his eternal existence. He quickly snapped from his thoughts when he noticed her opening her lips to speak.

"If it's okay with you, I would like to broaden our relationship." she confidently declared making the smile leave his lips.

"Oh?" was all he could muster to reply. For a moment, he thought that she would go on and on about the new layout of the torture chambers since she was the one assigned to design them but, this? This is something he never expected. Now he wished that she didn't cut through the pleasantries first before dropping this bomb because he has no words to reply to them.

"That is why I would like to ask if you would like to accompany me to the Winter Solstice Gala a fortnight from now. I believe that it will be beneficial to expand our knowledge about the other gods and... Each other." she finally said.

Dyrroth was speechless. He couldn't believe the words he's hearing. Is this an illusion? Well, it failed because it's utterly unbelievable. Then is this a trick? Is this a manipulation? Possibly. Perhaps the goddess has some ulterior motives. But there's something inside him that wished that she really meant her words and he wanted to believe that. Even if it's just a sweet little lie.

"Well, you don't have to do it if you're uncomfortable with me... I know that I'm just a simple ugly goddess and you're... You're you... But I just think that since we've spent eternity together it would be good to... Uhhmm... Interact more... Amicably." Ruby winched due to her stutter and broken words. She had already told herself not to stutter and be dumb. Now the Lord of the Underworld will think that she's stupid much like the gods of Etheria. She wanted to cry for embarrassing herself. If he throws her out like they did then it would totally break her heart into a million pieces. Ironically, she might even die from despair.

"Of course, Ruby. I would gladly go with you. But I just need to confirm something," Dyrroth finally replied with a sincere smile.

"Sure, what is it?" Ruby wiped the unshed tears from her eyes before looking up at him. She nearly yelped when she saw how menacing he looked.

"Can you please tell me the names of the scoundrels who called you a 'simple ugly goddess'?"

"Wh-why?"

"Because I would like to break their legs and send them to the deepest torture chambers of the Abyss. No one speaks shit about my friend except for me."