He's An Arrangement

Roomie

"He's not going to prison?" I asked Ruby for at least the fifth time as we unpacked my clothes.

I was moving into the loft within David and Mary Margaret's apartment. Now that Neal is being charged with abuse, the court won't allow me to stay with him. Honestly, I love it. I love staying here. They're better than any other people I've stayed with. It's under tough situations, but it's great.

Ruby was opening drawers and dumping Killian's clothes over the rail, "He's got money, Emma. That's something none of us have."

Money. That seems to be everyone's answer to everything. Why am I with him? Money. Why has nobody caught him abusing me? Money. Why will the court drop all charges? Money.

"Why are you throwing all his clothes down?" I left my suitcases and went to pier over into the living room. He had a gathering pile of clothes sitting next to the couch.

She shrugged, "Would you rather share a bed with him?" Then she held up a finger, "Oh wait, you already have," Ruby giggled, a smirk on her lips.

"Oh, shut up," I rolled my eyes. She is more obsessed with Killian and I's relationship, or lack of, then me.

The door clicked open and men's voices erupted. They were all chattering and laughing, "Looks like he's back," Ruby winked and gave me a nudge, "Wait till he sees his clothes."
"Ruby!" Killian's yell traveled up to us, "What the hell?"

I turned around to look for Ruby. She was running to the closet, "I'm not here," she whispered before disappearing from the room.

She locked the door behind her and you could hear giggling through the wall. I hit my fist against it, trying to shut her up. She did.

"Emma." He stopped dead in his tracks. We haven't spoken since I was in the hospital. We haven't seen one another. He hasn't asked what's happened to me. In fact, he doesn't even know I'm moving in. I just got out of the hospital yesterday, and haven't really had to run into this predicament just yet.

I cleared my throat, "Yeah, hi... Killian," my eyes trailed down to my feet.

He chuckled, "So, I'm guessing revenge?" He pointed to the railing, "I mean, I don't see what my poor clothes did wrong."

"No, it wasn't--"
Two more pairs of feet came running up the steps, "Roomie!" David yelled out with a laugh. He scuffed my hair and patted my back.

"Roomie?" Killian raised an eyebrow. I guess it's better just to get it out there, to let him know. I mean, I can't sneak around him forever.

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm staying here, at least temporarily."

He smiled, "Good, I'm glad you have somewhere to stay."

"Thanks," I mumbled, "Ruby's in the closet, by the way."

All three men laughed, "We already know she has a thing for girls," Robin told me with a slight chuckle.

"Yeah, I'm almost positive her and Regina had a fling," Killian nudged Robin.

Robin rolled his eyes, "That's false information," he wrapped his arms across the front of his chest.

David raised a hand, "She's with Mulan, guys. Be nice!" He rolled his eyes, "Boys will be boys, Emma."
I shook my head, "No, I mean she's hiding in the closet," I pointed to her ironic hiding place and Ruby's infectious laughter sounded from the inside.

The lock unlatched and Ruby came tumbling out, "I don't appreciate you boys spreading my secrets," she giggled then turned to Robin, "and yes, they're all true."

"Ruby, where do you expect me to stay now?" Killian pushed his finger against her, a slight tilt to his head.

Shit. I hadn't even thought of this. He does sleep here quite a lot. I cleared my throat and looked back up, "If I'm too much of a bother, don't worry about it. Ruby, maybe I can stay at your place?"

She shook her head, "You're staying here. Killian, you've got a couch calling your name downstairs."

"Hey, this isn't some sort of free housing unit," David piped in, "Ruby, you can't just allow people into our home," he quickly added.

"Really, if I cause too much trouble, I can go. It's not a problem," I smiled sympathetically.

Robin shook his head, "He's just annoyed. I mean, he's pretty much been giving a place to live for Killian his whole life."

Killian jabbed him in the rib, eying his friend.

"I'm going to keep unpacking, then,," I looked back at the mess that covered the entire bed. I groaned, rubbing the back on my hand against my forehead.

Ruby curled into a free spot on the bed, "If you guys are going to stay here, then lend a little help, will you?" She clicked her tongue and threw some clothes at each of them.

They compiled and caught their piles. Killian scrunched his face and coughed, "Er... Ruby?" He threw a pair of my underwear back at her. It was lacy and blue.

My cheeks went red and I leaned over to my new friend, "I know you did that on purpose," I whispered into her ear and grabbed the underwear from her hands.

She giggled, "I'll do what it takes."

The three men found spots across the floor and began sipping on bear, chatting, and folding my clothes. Every so often they'd throw them at one another with eruptions of laughter. The underwear incident was quickly forgotten. Everyone was having a fun time. They were enjoying themselves.

Robin and Killian ran downstairs as we came to the end of putting my clothes away. They came back up with more alcohol in hand, "I'm not doing chores without booze," Killian chuckled and passed out paper cups.

I shook my head, "I've got a shift tonight."
Killian tilted his head, "Yeah? Where?" He sat the alcohol on the night stand and took a seat in front of me. He wore a genuinely curious expression. Maybe this is what our friendship can be. Maybe.

"She's working at the diner with me!" Ruby giggled happily and wrapped her arms over my shoulders.

Ruby works at two different restaurants. One is run by her grandmother, and rightly named "Granny's". I'm going to be working there. I can't say I enjoy the uniform. It's horribly revealing, and most definitely not my style. I look more like a stripper then a waitress at a family-style diner. A red skirt fluffed around my thighs, and what looked more like a baby's shirt ruffled my neck.

I wrapped my arms around my chest, knowing everyone must be staring at me, "I should get ready, don't want to be late on the first day," I smiled and stood up.

He nodded and cleared his throat, "Yes, first impressions are important."

Ruby took the hint and ushered all the boys from the room, following after them happily. That girl always has such a fucking bounce in her step. She always makes me laugh, without a doubt.

I stepped into the uniform, put on my makeup, and met Ruby downstairs.

"You ready?" She asked, looking back through a mirror as she touched up her bright-red lipstick.

"Yeah, I am." 

Pretty bland chapter, but it's needed for the next one. Hope you enjoyed. :)