Immortal Poison (FFXV)

Chapter 5

Present day...

Later that night, the train was on its way to Tenebrae. Ruby sat across from Cor in the dining car, and had just finished eating after letting the food sit there for about an hour. Normally, Ruby would never let food suffer like that, which further told Cor that something was wrong.
"What's going on?" He asked, leaning inward.
"...I just have a really...really bad feeling. I don't know what it is. It's like everything's falling apart, or going to fall apart." She explained.
"How long?"
"Since I left home."
"...Why didn't you say anything?" He wondered, pushing her dishes aside.
"And say what? Hey, I know you need me for this assignment, but I'm not feeling up to it? Would you have let me back out?" She questioned.
"You wouldn't have wanted to back out, even if I told you to. You left alone, Ruby, in the middle of the damn night. Had you called, I would've made time for you." He sounded angry, but it was clear that he was concerned.
        Ruby nodded, agreeing that she should have done things differently. "Sorry...and I'm sorry for just...disappearing for a week. I don't mean to worry you."
       "I get it. I'm guilty of it too, only when I do it, you blow up my phone, every single day.
       "Because I'm afraid you won't come back. You challenged an ancient blade master who handed your ass to you. Sure, you may have toned it down a bit, but you've had so many more incidents where you behaved recklessly. Let's not forget your insane driving that destroyed the regalia last year. And during the Great War?...I can only imagine the crazy things you did while on that trip with the Prince." She scolded.
       Cor curled his lips inward, lowering his head while rubbing the back of his neck. It was times like that when Cor felt relieved that she kept one eye covered. He desperately tried to avoid eye contact, because when he caught her gaze, it was like looking into a face worse than death. She's scary sometimes. No matter what it was, as long as she was worried about him, he would never hear the end of it.
He sighed and then lifted his head. "...Is that what it is?"
      "What are you talking about?"
"Are you afraid I won't make it back home? Or is this about those notes?"
"Both, I guess. I mean, it makes sense. At first I didn't know you were coming on this trip...so a part of me was afraid I wouldn't find you when I got home. As for the notes, I don't know what to think or do about them." The tears were trying to escape, as she continuously wiped them away.
      "Ruby..." He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Keep it together. I'm not going anywhere."
      With a gentle sigh, Ruby nodded her head.
      "And stop reading those notes. We can look into it more when we get back. Leave it alone for now."
       "...Okay." She agreed.

      By mid-morning, the train had arrived in Tenebrae. Many passengers departed from the station, while others stood outside. After spending an extended amount of time on the train, they wanted to stretch their legs and get some fresh air before getting back on board to head to Gralea.
Ruby wandered the station with Amethyst, Jasper, and Artemis, while Cor sat on a bench with Calix.
"I still don't understand why I have to stay here." Calix complained.
"Didn't you say you had work in Tenebrae?" Cor snarked.
Calix sighed. "Which we confirmed was a lie. I apologize. Since I'm already here, I really think you could use the extra hands."
"We don't need your help with this. You're just here because of Ruby."
"Which makes you uncomfortable. You feel threatened by-" Calix was cut off by Cor's brief laughter.
"You're kidding, right? If I thought your skills were necessary for this mission, you would be apart of it. You have a lot of potential, Calix; enough to put you on my level, if not close to it, but your entire career revolves around a woman who doesn't see you the way you want her to."
Calix tightened his fists. That night at the Caelum Via Hotel continuously ran through his mind. It was so clear, as if it had just happened. He wished he could go back and confess his feelings to Ruby before she had entered the building; hoping that would've altered the evening. And spare me the agonizing image of his hands all over her.
     "So it doesn't affect your work? In all the years you've worked with her, your feelings have never had an impact on your decisions?" Calix questioned him.
      "No," Cor answered, "but I might be willing to make an exception. If I catch you bothering her, and it's not work related, I'll knock you out."
      "So I can come with you guys?"
      "No, you still can't come."