Descendants The Rise of Red cast one shots

Ruby x Joshua

Ruby's heart thudded against her ribcage as the final notes of "Life is Sweeter" faded into the cheers of the rapturous crowd. The Descendants and Zombies Collide World Tour
had been a whirlwind of glitz, glamour, and guts. The stadium lights glared down on her, illuminating the beads of sweat that studded her brow like diamonds. Her legs felt like jelly, but she forced a smile and waved to the audience.

Before the curtains could close, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. It was Joshua, her co-star, looking at her with a knowing smile. "You okay?" he mouthed over the din. Ruby nodded, trying to play it cool, but the color in her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment. Just before the show, she'd been caught off guard by the crimson tide, and her costume had been a nightmare to fix. She had been a mess, but he had noticed her distress and stepped in, offering her a sanitary pad without a word.

Now, as the lights dimmed and the applause grew muffled, she mouthed a silent "Thank you" to him. He just winked back, his emerald eyes sparkling with mischief. They had performed the songs flawlessly , the chemistry between them palpable even through the fog machine's mist. The crowd had gone wild, their voices blending into a single, thunderous roar that seemed to shake the very foundation of the stadium.

As they exited the stage, the cool air backstage was a welcome relief from the heat of the spotlights. Ruby's knees wobbled slightly as she made her way to her dressing room, the gravity of the moment finally hitting her. She had done it. But the evening's drama wasn't over yet.

Inside, she found a bouquet of roses on her vanity, the deep red petals a stark contrast to the pristine white of the dressing table. A small card was attached, with a note scribbled in Joshua's familiar handwriting: "You rocked it tonight. Thank you for being an amazing partner. - J." Ruby's eyes misted over as she realized the depth of his kindness. He had noticed her distress and had helped her not only through the performance but had also made sure she felt appreciated.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Ruby, you got a minute?" It was Joshua's voice, filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and called out, "Come in."

The door swung open and there he was, his costume slightly askew, his hair sticking up in the back from the intense choreography. He looked like he'd just run a marathon, but the energy radiating from him was infectious. "That was incredible," he said, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "We killed it out there."

Ruby couldn't help but laugh, the tension of the evening dissipating like the fog that had surrounded them on stage. "Yeah, we did," she said, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "And thanks, you know, for... earlier." She gestured vaguely in the direction of her dressing table.

Joshua shrugged it off, his cheeks flushing a little. "No big deal. We're in this together." He leaned against the doorframe, his eyes searching hers. "But seriously, Ruby, you were amazing. The way you handled everything..." He trailed off, his gaze lingering.

Ruby felt her heart skip a beat. They'd been friends for so long, sharing the ups and downs of their careers and personal lives. But there had always been something more, a spark that danced just out of reach. She stepped closer, the fabric of her costume whispering against the floor. "Thanks, Josh," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You have no idea how much that meant to me."

He reached out and took her hand, the warmth of his touch sending a jolt through her. "I do," he said, his voice serious. "I know what it's like to be on the edge, to think everything's about to fall apart." His thumb traced small circles on the back of her hand, sending shivers up her arm.

The air between them grew thick with unspoken feelings. Ruby searched his eyes, and what she saw there made her breath catch in her throat. "Joshua," she started, but he silenced her with a finger to her lips. He leaned in, closing the space between them, and their eyes locked. For a moment, the bustle of the backstage faded away, and it was just the two of them.

And then, as if pulled by an invisible force, their lips met. It was a soft kiss, tentative and gentle, filled with all the unspoken words that had been dancing around them for so long. The kiss grew deeper, more urgent, and Ruby's arms slipped around his neck, pulling him closer. Time seemed to slow down as they lost themselves in the moment, the taste of him as sweet as the victory of their performance.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless, their eyes wide with surprise and a hint of fear. They had crossed a line, and there was no going back. But the connection was undeniable, the spark between them now a flame that threatened to consume them both.

Ruby rested her forehead against his, her heart racing. "What does this mean?" she whispered, her voice shaking.

Joshua took a step back, his hand still holding hers. He looked into her eyes, searching for an answer. "I don't know," he said, his voice just as shaky. "But I do know that I've had feelings for you for a while now."

Ruby felt a rush of emotions, a whirlwind of excitement and fear. She had felt it too, but the friendship they had built was so strong, she didn't want to ruin it with the messiness of a relationship. "Josh," she started, but he stopped her again.

"I know it's complicated," he said, his thumb still tracing her hand. "But we can figure it out."

Ruby bit her bottom lip, her eyes searching his. "I've felt it too," she admitted, her voice barely audible. "But we're in the middle of a world tour, and our friendship is everything to me. I don't want to lose that."

Joshua nodded, understanding etched in his features. "Me neither," he said, his grip on her hand tightening. "But maybe it's time we explore what could be more."

The dressing room was suddenly filled with the sound of their breaths mingling, the rhythm of their hearts beating together. Ruby felt the weight of their shared secret, the unspoken tension that had been building for months, now out in the open. She didn't know if it was the adrenaline from the performance or the comfort of his touch, but she knew she didn't want to let go.

"We don't have to rush into anything," Joshua said, his voice a soothing balm to her racing thoughts. "We can take it slow, see where it leads."

Ruby took a deep breath, nodding in agreement. The excitement of their kiss still lingered on her lips, and she couldn't ignore the thrill coursing through her veins. "Okay," she murmured, her eyes still locked with his. "But we have to be careful. We can't let this affect the show."

Joshua nodded solemnly, a look of understanding passing between them. They had a job to do, and a responsibility to their fans and the entire production team. "Agreed," he said, a soft smile playing on his lips. "But when we're off stage, we'll figure this out."