#( interaction: harrison ft. ruby )

[awalkoflife-arc]

@fidelissimi sent: ❝ i never meant to cause you trouble. ❞ from ( x ).

harrison doesn't respond right away and instead, lets his eyes wander over her as she sits on the floor, cutting lines of cocaine on the table for them. he still remembers the night ruby told him about it --- the time she slept with her professor, or rather, how she was coerced into fucking him. granted, he didn't take it well. to this day, it made his skin crawl. "you didn't." harrison states, as though it should have been obvious. the person who did cause him trouble, well... he suspects she already knows who that might be. all across their university's socials, alerts and reports were sent out to the students, letting them know that a professor had been attacked not far from campus. a safety warning was issued, asking students to be vigilant and for anyone who might have witnessed anything to contact local authorities. it happened the previous weekend, when harrison had enough time to get off grid, buy what he needed and get the job done. it was raining heavily, much like it is tonight. he'd broken the guy's jaw, left him with fractured ribs and some internal bleeding. "none of this is your fault, okay?" he reminds her, dark eyes void of any anger. if anything, now he just felt numb. indifferent. as long as ruby was alright, he would be too.

[awalkoflife-arc]

harrison sits up when ruby enters the room, shifting toward the end of the bed where his clothes are. wearing only his boxers, he turns away momentarily to give her privacy while she breastfeeds their daughter. a small smile adorns his lips when he hears the comment that his ex makes; their girl can eat healthily all by herself, something that amazes him considering she's only a day old. "how do you know when she's had enough?" he asks, turning back around to face them. he decides against changing, he'll go for a shower before he puts on fresh clothes, the majority of which he still needs to bring over. "what if you think she's getting enough and she isn't?" it's not something he needs to worry about considering ruby is the only parent who can feed her right now, but even with that knowledge, he still finds himself worrying about everything. she's so tiny and they're literally responsible for her life --- a real, precious, adorable little human life. "a name?" ruby's question shakes him from his thoughts and he rubs his hands together, unsure what to tell her. "fuck, uh..." he didn't know of her existence up until two days ago let alone what they could name her. "there's our moms' names?" he figures it might be nice to include them somewhere, if not first, then definitely middle. there's nothing that immediately jumps out at him and he's not about to make a comment about being underprepared for any of this, not when their baby is attached to her breast. "my accommodation at oxford was called queen's college. we could always name her after the late monarch of england?" he teases, before making eye-contact with her. "you had nothing in mind these past nine months?"

for the hour of free time she's gained by harrison taking the baby to go sleep in the guest room, ruby goes down the hall to her sister's room to administer her medications, check and make sure she's comfortable, and doesn't need anything before she takes on the task of getting a few chores done around the house. she doesn't try to do anything too strenuous, because she's still healing, but getting up and on her feet gives her something to do besides dwell over how sure she is that harrison hates her now. when she hears the distinct cries of their baby from down the hall, and her phone dings with a message from him that she's hungry, ruby pads silently upstairs and peeks into the room. she moves inside to take their swaddled bundle of joy in her arms and makes herself comfortable against the headboard while she situates their baby girl to her breast and lets her grasp at her finger while she fills her little belly. "look at you, already a champ at this whole eating thing, huh? you really are daddy's girl, aren't you?" she says to their little one, attempting to break the ice with harrison before speaking directly to him. there's a long moment of silence before she finally looks up at him and sighs. "she still needs a name. we can't just keep calling her baby," she says finally. it's been a whole day since she was born and they've spent more time arguing or giving each other the silent treatment than they have talking about how they plan to co-parent. "got any ideas? any names you like?"

[awalkoflife-arc]

"should i be worried that you know how to replicate fake blood this well? i probably should be, right?"

HALLOWEEN PROMPTS ˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🎃 ꒱ ( + accepting ! ) / @fidelissimi + haruby !

"we all go a little mad sometimes." he delivers the line with perfect accuracy, smirking at her while she looks at him. stood at the top of the staircase of the sorority house they're both at, harrison waits to use the bathroom. the halloween party is in full swing and he's got exactly what they need to elevate it further. "you want to come in here with me?" he signals to the empty bathroom after two girls almost fall out of it, laughing and cuddling in the process. making sure no one else is on their way up stairs, he turns back to ruby and hands her a small baggie of white powder. "trick or treat?" har teases, taking her hand and walking them into the toilet before locking the door behind him. "where the fuck you been all night? i was starting to think you weren't gonna show." he says, impatiently backing her up against the bathroom counter. the second his lips attach to hers though, he doesn't really care for an answer to his question. she tastes sweet and without asking for permission, his hands travel down her body to grab her ass.

[awalkoflife-arc]

continued from ( x ) with @fidelissimi / haruby !

since the gallery was quiet, harrison closed early, wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of the day curled up beside his baby mama and their bump. when he gets home though, he can tell that she's unsettled, so he suggests a halloween movie marathon. it's the ultimate comfort night in at this time of year, closing in on the holiday itself. "you wanna drool over jared fuckin' padalecki while i feed you ice-cream, is that it?" he teases, sitting up on his elbow. she's still got that glow despite the morning sickness. all he wants is to make her feel good, whether that's with food or her favourite movies. "you need me to get you anything before we get cosy?" he asks, gently running his hand through her hair, guiding it away from her face and over her shoulder .

[awalkoflife-arc]

WE EXPECTED NO LESS!!

"well, fuck. does this mean i'm getting laid tonight?" harrison teases, lifting ruby effortlessly into his arms. she's perfect, a fact he already knew, and she's not even his yet. "pretty sure we could take advantage of that praise kink right about now..."

[awalkoflife-arc]

neither of them were expecting the news, which makes it all that little bit more surreal. saving for a wedding and planning a future together was something they were already preparing for, but welcoming a brand new life into the world? "i see it, baby." harrison beams, almost unable to believe it. the tests all read the same result, confirming that in just under nine months, they would be parents. he struggles to find the right words, to articulate how much the moment means, so all he can do is welcome ruby's kiss. fuck, he wants to pick her up and lift her into his arms. that is until it fully sinks in that she's carrying precious cargo and he can't. it's their little meant-to-be-baby, the one they didn't plan for, the one who chose them instead. her lips are warm and tender and delicious and he smiles against her kiss, returning each of his own with so much love and enthusiasm. he's so happy, overwhelmingly, shockingly, beautifully happy. their life together is already pretty domestic, they've settled down considerably since their first wild year of dating. har already knows that for ruby, motherhood is a journey she's going to fall in love with. setting aside all of the fears and doubts and anxieties, the all consuming adoration is what's going to lead the way. "you don't have anything to be sorry for." he tells her, pressing his forehead to her own. the weight of her hand on top of his makes his heart beat harder in his chest and he grins at how warm her belly feels under his palm. "our baby's in there." he says, repeating it just in case she missed it the first time. fuck, he's so excited. "you're going to be an amazing mom. i know it. she's gonna be so loved." he says it without thinking. like an intuition. she. "he or she." harrison corrects himself, looking over at the time on their bedside clock. "do i need to take you to the hospital right now? to get checked out? what's the next step? what can i do?" it comes out far too quickly and he has to laugh at himself before kissing her again because somehow this is their life now and it's crazy and amazing all at once.

she wasn't aware of how much she needed the reassurances he offers. harrison has always been a genius at reading the Book of Ruby, aware and entirely conscious of her every mood, her every need. and this time, of course, is no different, as it seems like he's looked into her eyes and picked apart every bit of doubt in her soul and found a way to patch up each piece after he's removed every single one with his reassuring words. she snuggles in closer to him when he reaches for the tests and the moment she sees the word Pregnant on both screens she lets out a whoosh of breath that she hadn't even realized she'd been holding in. "oh my god. do you see that?" she asks in disbelief, but he's already smiling and embracing her, her eyes mirroring the mistiness of his own. her lip quivers as she breaks out into a smile, and it's as if this moment is frozen in time, the reality of it not truly hitting her until his last words. "aww, i love you too, daddy," she returned the sentiment, grinning against his lips before pressing her own to his and getting lost in an all-consuming kiss. the air around them feels charged with the anticipation that had been building in those long few minutes, but their kiss is nothing but soft and loving and felt like a promise they didn't even have to speak out loud. they were really having a baby, and ruby couldn't be happier in that moment, no matter how much she'd freaked out about even the prospect of it earlier that evening. "oh my god, we're having a baby," she finally says, like he didn't know, like he hadn't looked directly at the same results she did. it's all hitting her again, like waves of reality just keep crashing into her mind. "you're gonna be such a great daddy, har. i'm sorry i was so nervous earlier." her hand joins his where it rests against her belly, and she takes a moment to sink into the wonder that just beneath their palms is a life they created together. a tiny human being that would be the center of both of their worlds.

[awalkoflife-arc]

continued from here with @fidelissimi !

He startles her without meaning to, observes the way her fingertips tighten around the pencil she's holding, before dropping it. “You good?” Harrison asks, a little amused by just how intense her focus is. When she signals for him to enter, he closes the door behind him and makes himself comfortable on her bed. He was only half joking when he asked her about what illegal activities she had in mind for the two of them, but the way her dark eyes sparkle in response suggests that she isn't joking. “Sitting in a car with you for an hour, as opposed to, what?” Har questions, raising his brows, because as if she could actually believe that spending time with her was an inconvenience for him. “Sitting in here with you all night?” Lately, he'd been occupying Ruby's dorm room more frequently than his own. It was cleaner than his, provided a better environment to study in and of course, it belonged to her. That would always be good enough for him.

“If you want to fuck around at the beach for a while, I'm down.” It was only mid-afternoon, which meant if they left soon, they'd arrive before sunset. “I can drive us?” He offers, considering she looks like she could use a break from having to concentrate on anything for a while. “This a nudist beach by any chance?” Har teases, tossing a pillow at her ass. He wouldn't be opposed to the idea, not at all, especially with Ruby in attendance. “'Cause I don't have any fuckin' shorts here. I'll need to go back to my dorm and grab them before we head.”

[awalkoflife-arc]

Love, Ruby & Alex

he's not prepared for the card or the picture or for the way she's looking at him right now, as though he's the centre of her entire universe and yet, this is where he finds himself. filled up and blissed out on ruby and the love that they already have in abundance for their baby girl. "c'mere," harrison smirks, pulling her closer toward him until their lips are touching. the kiss is that specific blend of tender and passionate that evokes just how grateful he is --- for all of this. "i love you." he pulls away to look into her eyes, hands rising to gently trace across her belly. "both of you." there's no words, aside from, "thank you, baby." he wasn't expecting anything, but he should have known better. since finding out about their little surprise, the two of them have been floating and why wouldn't they be? she's already everything they could ever dream of because she's theirs; a product of pure love.

[awalkoflife-arc]

surprise mother's day gifts for @fidelissimi / ruby !

if she calls him cheesy for his efforts, he'll take it. ruby's still asleep and after having a particularly late night at the bar, harrison is making her breakfast in the hope she will wake up feeling much better than she did when she crawled into bed beside him just a few hours prior. this day is for her, albeit she's not a fully fledged mother quite yet, she's still growing their baby. she's giving them a future, a family. he's cutting up fresh fruit and he's already been out to buy a selection of sweet and savoury pastries and the fancy artisan bread that she likes. on their kitchen table, he's set out some gifts in a small paper bag, nothing too over the top. he'd give her the world on a platter if she asked and even though it's not technically her first mother's day, he still believes that she should be celebrated --- for the woman she is, for the mommy she's going to be and for all of the love she's bringing into their lives.

[awalkoflife-arc]

+ continued from here with ruby / @fidelissimi !

"you already know i'm all in. you got a specific hypothesis you want to try and reach with me?" harrison asks, glancing over at her from where he's currently standing, leaning his weight against her doorframe. her bed is all too inviting, as is the brunette herself. she's laid out across it, her tanned skin a perfect contrast against white linen sheets. "if you've got nowhere to be today, i'm more than happy to experiment." he smiles a shy smile as soon as he says it, his gaze briefly dropping to the floor, before rising back up to look at her. what they've been doing lately has been making him ridiculously happy. sex with ruby, he'd come to learn, was a culmination of everything he hoped it would be --- the kind of intimate, passionate, affair that's only reached when the person you're with shares the same level of enthusiasm. he's not been with anyone else since before summer and while he knows ruby's not looking to commit, he can't help but let his mind arrive at the thought every time he finds himself back in her dorm room. what it would be like if she were his and only his. would the sex be better? could it even get any better than this? "or, we can head out? go for a drive?" he adds, on the chance he's misread the situation completely. he didn't want to be that guy, either. hanging around, expecting more than she was willing to offer. her pleasure in all of this was just as important to him, if not more, in and out of the bedroom.

[awalkoflife-arc]

@fidelissimi + this might hurt :')

hey, you want to come for a drive with me? figured we could talk. harrison hits send on the text, ignoring the current weather conditions and the repressed emotions that remain for the girl in question. he knows they have a lot to discuss, but he also knows that ruby's never been a talker, especially not in an intimate setting. she was a lot like the rain that way --- relentless in her pursuit to submerge everything in her wake, regardless of the consequences. harrison however, liked the rain; to him, it was cleansing and refreshing, symbolic of so much more beyond its stormy countenance, just like her. “ i know i'm probably the last fuckin' person you want to be in a car with on a night like this. ” he tells her upon entry, turning the heating up on her side. “ but i thought it was important that we talk --- sober. ”

[awalkoflife-arc]

“  i know i don’t have any right to anymore,  but i need you.  ”  

EXES WITH FEELINGS PROMPTS ( accepting ! ) + @fidelissimi

he's not sure if her sentiment is born out of fear or out of love --- if she needs him for security or if she actively wants him to be a part of her life again. harrison's almost certain it's the former. "you didn't think our baby might need me, too?" ever since he arrived back stateside from oxford, he's been trying to keep it together. it was one thing to come home to her --- his ex-girlfriend who he'd spent every single day miserable without, living life on the other side of the atlantic, freezing his fucking balls off while rubbing shoulders with the academic elite --- but to come home to their child. "jesus fuckin' christ ruby, you know how many times i wondered what your life might look like without me in it?" he can't quite bring himself to look at her because he already knows --- she won't get to have the life he envisioned for her. not now. maybe not ever. "i know this isn't what you wanted for yourself." he states, "but i'm going to be in her life, i'm going to be her dad, and i'm going to help you." that was already a given --- whether she wanted him to or not.

[awalkoflife-arc]

his arms draw her in nearer, ribcage to ribcage, holding her as close as possible. he won't admit it but it's beginning to fucking suffocate him; pretending not to want more than this. whatever the fuck it is that they're denying to themselves. harrison isn't used to it, the informality of hooking-up. call him old fashioned, but he isn't like the rest of his generation and maybe that's his problem. he just assaulted a professor for her. he deserved it, though. at least, that's what he told himself. over and over again, that's what was repeated in his head. while he should have been out doing what the rest of his freshman class were doing --- drinking, partying, fucking --- he found himself in a hardware store. buying all kinds of fucked up shit. to use on a man who slept with his best friend's big sister. a girl who didn't even belong to him. "you know i'm not like those guys, right?" he voices quietly, the cocaine beginning to make everything feel a little better. "i'm not just using you --- yeah, we fuck but it's more than that." he's careful not to say too much. still, he has to let her know that none of it is meaningless. their unconventional situationship, however sexual in nature it may be, was rooted in something deeper. from the moment they started, he felt it. since then, it's only become more. "i care about you, beyond the sex, beyond all of it. i just... i need you to fuckin' know that, okay?" he buries his face in her hair, inhaling the fresh and familiar scent of her. the drug makes him want to dive into her, to get lost in her essence, to bathe in it. "is there anything you want to do tonight?" it's a question that doesn't truly matter because whatever she chooses, he'll be content. "it's mason's birthday, the guys were talking about going out someplace in the city. they said i could bring you." his wrestling team were the closest he had to brothers, next to johnny of course. the main difference was, they actually liked ruby and they always made sure to include her in any social events despite the fact she wasn't actually his girlfriend. "you wanna get dressed up?"

"do you know how many of 'em can keep fucking dreamin'? every goddamn one," she answers, like it's the scripture, the holiest of truths. ruby has never, ever been interested in relationships, actually preferring no-strings-attached sex to having to commit. it made life easier, there was no drama, and she didn't have to guard her heart in the process. she didn't have to wonder if the person she was falling in love with was feeling the same way, or how hard it would be to pick up the pieces of herself once they decided they were done with her and moving on to someone better . . . and there was always someone better. she'd never even had someone who showed a hint of interest in more until harrison. and it scares the shit out of her, because she already knows . . . even if she won't admit it . . . that she's head-over-fucking-heels for him. she'd never have told him she was his. her pupils dilate as she's pulled into his lap, and they're so close together it's hard to tell where he ends and she begins. the possessive and assertive way he stakes his claim on her makes her shiver, wanting so badly for his words to be true, for him to mean them in a way that's more permanent. and for a moment she lets herself pretend that it isn't the cocaine talking, or the fact that they're literally horny for each other 24/7 and she's the only pussy he's getting at the moment. she doesn't throw around the word 'girlfriend' but she would for him. "i don't wanna stop," she says clearly, knowing he's hearing her because he's looking her square in the eye. she's very aware of how badly it could've gone for that professor, even if she doesn't know exactly what harrison has already done. he kept those details to himself. she's mostly okay with that. "hear me when i say this. i'm not going anywhere."

[awalkoflife-arc]

+ haruby feels for our mama and dada to be @fidelissimi / ruby !

they're sitting on the bathroom floor and time feels like it's at a standstill. harrison isn't sure what the right thing to say is just yet, so he holds ruby after she throws up for the second time, wipes her mouth with a facecloth and tucks his chin into her hair. they stay like this for a long while, until he kisses her head and finally breaks the silence. "do you know how much i love you?" it might not be the most comforting thing that she needs to hear right now but he knows that now is as good a time as any for a reminder. that no matter the result, he's going to continue to love her. even if it's not what they planned for yet, whatever her decision is, he's going to support it. "if you're ready, let's do it." he opens the paper bag up from the pharmacy and discards the packaging, setting the pregnancy tests down onto the ledge of their bath. "i'm going to let you do your thing but i'll be right outside, okay?" he slowly stands and helps guide her up as he does so, placing a gentle kiss to her forehead, still holding her close. he's not ready to let go but he knows that there's only so much he can do until they know for sure. "you want some fresh clothes brought in? pyjamas, maybe? there's no way you're going back to work tonight."

[awalkoflife-arc]

when he hears her reveal the exact moment she found out she was pregnant, he feels the knot in his stomach twinge tighter. "okay, so what you're telling me is ---- one) you find out you're pregnant with my daughter the week i arrive in england, two) you break up with me that same week, and three) you allow me to go on as normal and be none the fuckin' wiser." he can't help, but think she's lost her mind. what other explanation was there? everything she's saying doesn't add up, not in his brain, at least. reaching for gio's bottle of bourbon, harrison pours a glass for himself, not bothering to get any ice. "you really believe that i'd think that? after three years together? jesus fuckin' christ, ruby." i was in love with you. he raises the drink to his lips and takes a sip, allowing the warm liquid to coat his tongue. she's upset and he doesn't even know why. still, there's an empty cavern in his chest that aches at the sight of her. he's got an urge to reach out, to provide comfort, but he knows it would be unwelcomed, so he ignores it. "the fuck are you cryin' for? i should be the one that's fuckin' cryin'." harrison grumbles, sounding as bitter as the bourbon sliding down his throat. downing the rest of the liquid, he rinses out his glass in the sink and glances at their daughter. "that's not for you to decide ---- none of this is. she's the only thing that matters now." he stands, walks over toward where their baby girl is sleeping, picks her up and gently cradles her, making sure not to wake her. turning to ruby then, he pretends not to notice her glazed, teary eyes or how much it kills him inside to brush it off. "you mind if i take her into the spare bed with me? i need a fuckin' nap."

"i was scared, harrison!" she says, like that's any kind of excuse. it's not, and she knows that, but it doesn't make what she says any less true. "you wanna know when i found out i was pregnant? about five minutes before you called on your second day there, showing off in front of the big Oxford sign. you were celebrating this huge step in your life and i was here holding a positive pregnancy test in my hand knowing that i couldn't tell you about it or you'd drop everything and come running back. i couldn't let you do that." she'd made the decision for both of them, in the blink of an eye, doing her best to not be selfish and try to put on a brave face for the next nine months, and it had come back to bite her in the ass. "i know... i know i should have told you about her, and i should have included you in all the decisions i had to make. i wasn't thinking straight, i was overwhelmed, and i didn't want you to think i'd done it on purpose just to... to trap you or get you to come home." she wipes her nose with her sleeve, trying to ignore the tears that are flowing down her face. her hormones are already out of whack from just giving birth, and while she wants to feel happy that their little girl is finally here, all she's experiencing is heartbreak because of her own selfish stupidity. "if you're thinking about NOT going back to school at the end of the summer, then you're the one that's crazy. going there is a once in a lifetime chance and i'm not gonna let you shit all over that. but if you want to stay here with her while you're on break, then fine. you have every right to be with her as much as you want. she deserves to have her daddy around while he can be."

[awalkoflife-arc]

harrison doesn't react to her silence and instead, cradles their baby girl closer to his chest. watching as ruby kisses her head and walks away, he feels numb. this time last year, everything was different. they were graduating, making plans for their future, promising each other that they would make it through a long distance relationship no matter what. now, both of their futures are inextricably wrapped up in the baby he's carefully setting down on the mattress, ensuring that there's a pillow on each side of her. she's perfect and she's tiny and she's a distinct blend of both of them. he can still hardly believe that she's here, or that he helped make her. "i love you, baby." harrison whispers, taking his shirt off to go to sleep beside her, knowing the warmth of his chest will be a comfort to her if she needs it. before his eyes close, he makes sure that she's breathing, that she's not too hot, that she's in a safe position. then, with his daughter by his side, he drifts off to sleep. they stay like this for an hour, cosy and content, until she stirs slightly. her little hand reaches for him and harrison wakes to her touch. her disgruntled hungry cries soon follow and he lifts her up onto his chest. "you need your momma now, huh?" unless she's on formula milk. it's something he needs to ask ruby about since he's not sure if she's breastfeeding or not, so he texts her to come upstairs. "shhh." he soothes softly, rocking their girl in his arms, sitting upright in bed as he waits for his ex to appear.

maybe she had lost her mind. maybe she could blame it on the hormones and the shock of the news that she was pregnant when she'd just barely graduated high school. the fact that she already had so much on her plate with taking care of her chronically ill sister that adding a pregnancy on top of it overwhelmed her. or maybe there wasn't any acceptable reason. harrison sure didn't seem to think there was. she was just a giant ball of mental instability and dangerously close to a nervous breakdown for nine months, that's all. shouldering the weight of his harsh words was just one more thing she would have to deal with, and push through, and not let break her. she wasn't sure she would be successful this time, but what choice did she have? there was a distinct numbness settling in over her now, and as he finished off his drink and walked over to take their little girl into his arms, ruby couldn't think of a single thing to say. all she'd wanted the whole previous nine months was to call him and tell him, but she'd be damned if she was the reason he gave up a chance to go to the best school he could've ever gotten into. even now, she has no idea how they're going to make this work once the summer ends, but she'll be lucky if he wants anything to do with her at all beyond only speaking about their daughter. ruby nods, finally giving some semblance of an answer. "go ahead. let me know if she wakes up and she's hungry," she says simply, standing to leave the kitchen, passing by and dropping a soft kiss on their daughter's head as she went.