RayEmma Oneshots

Together

Emma yawned, pouring water into the kettle and heating it over the stove.

It was early in the morning - late enough that it wasn't that unreasonable of a time to wake up, but early enough that everyone else was still sleeping. However, she was up not just because of being an early riser, but also from the nightmare she had the previous night. She couldn't remember all of it, but what she did remember seemed to be a flashback to Goldy Pond.

The sickly bright colors of the hunting ground, bringing out the ruby hue of all the bloodstains... heart racing, adrenaline burning, as she tore through the halls, through the streets, concentrating on shooting and not dying by Leuvis' hand or from a stray bullet... the gunshots, the screaming... claws piercing through her stomach, but still standing, Ray calling out the final plan of attack...

As if on cue, she heard footsteps behind her, Ray rustling his messier than usual bedhead as he stumbled into the room. Seeing her, he stopped in surprise. "What are you doing up, Emma?"

Leaning her back against the counter, somewhat near the stove with the kettle, she gave a tired smile. "Couldn't sleep. You?"

"Same here," Ray said, returning her tired smile.

Emma nodded toward the kettle. "I'm making tea, want some?"

"Sure, why not." Ray plopped down in a chair against the wall of the kitchen, and Emma crossed the room to join him at a chair next to him.

A short silence spread out between them, until Ray quietly asked, "Was there a reason why you couldn't sleep?"

Emma hesitated. "Just... memories. From Goldy Pond," she mumbled.

Ray looked saddened by her words, hating whenever she was plagued by the nightmares. He reached out and grabbed her hand. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it..." he started saying. Ray knew how Emma's experience in Goldy Pond could be rough to talk about with her.

"Can we hug?" Emma asked in a small voice. Ray nodded, wrapping his arms around her, and she hugged him back, snuggling further into their embrace. As his warmth washed over her, she felt her worries slowly melt away, his presence simply quelling her anxieties. She always felt safer like this, in his arms. He was her rock; when she felt herself spiraling, panicking, he'd ground her, giving her the strength that she needed to get through another day and more days to come. He'd always been there for her since the escape, and she was forever grateful for him. Just thinking about how much he's done for her made her smile and let out a soft giggle.

"What's so funny?" Ray asked uncertainly, thrown off by her abrupt change in mood.

"Just thinking," Emma said, her voice soft and sweet, like a lullaby.

"About what?"

"You~"

Ray's pulse quickened from her unexpected reply, when suddenly the kettle of hot water let out a high-pitched shriek. Emma got out of his arms (though it seemed like it was the last thing she wanted to do right now) and crossed the room over to the kettle, preparing their cups of tea. Though Ray could only replay their exchange. She was thinking of him? Surely she didn't mean it like that...

Emma came back with two steaming mugs, and after putting them down on a small table in front of the chairs, plopped down on her seat and leaned back into Ray; he instinctively wrapped his arms around her again.

She really was grateful for him, and she thought that maybe he felt the same about her. Two souls beaten down by this demon world, supporting each other to keep from breaking, holding each other to heal. That's how they've been for a long time. And how she hopes they'll be for a long time.

"I love you, Ray"

He froze, then smiled and held her tighter. His surprise was brief and his confusion was dispelled after a fraction of a second; it made perfect sense, them together like this. "I love you, too, Emma"

They stayed in their embrace as the clock struck 6, the chime echoing through the halls. Emma looked up, into Ray's eyes, and leaned forward, pressing her lips against his, drowning herself in him as the sounds of children awakening came nearer.

They didn't care when the youngest children saw them and teased them for kissing.

They had each other, and that's all that mattered in the end.