#anli x ruby

[anlidowning]

𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 @rubywritesrp

"Okay, I know you said no house warming parties but I couldn't help myself." she stated, placing a box wrapped in a gorgeous lavender wrapping paper on her cousin's new kitchen counter. "This is just a gift from me to you; not only to say thank you for being my secret keeper for all these years but also to welcome you back home." she winked, her eyes focusing on her cousin. Anli and the Little sisters had always been kind of inseparable, even when they'd not all lived in the same town. And while they'd all grown, thankfully the bond they had never waivered, and Anli was happy to have Ruby back in town. "I hope this is useful to you." she stated, looking at the box and back at her cousin as if her eyes were trying to tell her to 'open it already.' "Please don't make me wait longer than I already have."

[anlidowning]

𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 @rubywritesrp

"Wait!" Anli paused in her tracks, eyes fixated on a booth at the market that had all sorts of trinkets and stained glass pieces. Stained glass was something to always catch her eye, and that piece just happened to represent a mother and her daughter; tugging at Anli's heartstrings. Not that she had anywhere to put it, that was besides the point. "I just love spring time." she sighed. "It allows for meet ups with great people like you. And this weather is to die for." she stated., inhaling as if sniffing the air would bring the weather into her lungs. She'd probably regret that later. "But also how are you settling back into town?" she questioned, taking a step towards the booth she'd been eyeballing, hands already on the stained glass art piece before she returned her attention to her cousin. "You need to come let me see that new place once you finally close on it!"

[anlidowning]

A small smile was plastered against Anli's lips as she heard her cousin speak. There were often times that Ruby carried herself well, the weight of the world never too much for her. But this. This was a side of Ruby Anli had never seen before, and while she could never bring herself to understand her cousin's pain, at least she could be there to support her. "You know I'm an advocate to do whatever you want." she stated with a small shrug. "If you never want to tell anyone you don't owe a soul anything." she shrugged, eyes focused on her cousin. "I get why, either way, but, you could keep it your little secret forever and no one has a right to say anything to you about it." Maybe Anli was speaking a little more harshly on the situation than she should've; but she'd been the one that had watched how the situation with Felicity had hurt Ruby through the years and now that Anli was a mother of her own, she couldn't imagine that pain. "He's still not doing better?" she questioned, her expression saddening at the words about her uncle. She'd always adored the man, looked at him as her own father when her's was busy working or something and to know he wasn't in the best of health really shook her, though she tried not to show it. She couldn't imagine how Ruby felt. "For sure, she'll come keep you company whenever you want." Anli smiled. "Any excuse she can to leave my side she'll take." @rubywritesrp

THE END

Ruby gave a small, grateful smile at Anli’s words, her thumb brushing idly against the rim of her coffee cup. “Yeah,” she said softly, her voice tinged with hope and hesitation. “I think that’s for the best, too. I haven’t told my parents or Jade yet,” she paused, lifting her eyes to her cousin. “I just want to build something real first. Something steady. Before I even think about bringing her into the mess.” She took a breath, and for a moment, the flicker of fear and longing behind her usual calm exterior crept in. “But,” she added quietly, “I do want Dad to meet her. Before things get worse. Before he can’t remember me, let alone someone new.” Her voice caught slightly at the end, but she swallowed it down, steadying herself with a small nod. Her smile returned, lighter now, as Anli offered help. “And I’d love that, by the way. If you ever need anything or someone to watch Liv, she's always welcome at my place. I love being the fun aunt,” she added with a playful grin.

[anlidowning]

"Girl." she shook her head. "If anything you should get to sit around and look pretty while he does all the hard work. Isn't that the biggest perk of having a man around?" she questioned, eyes focusing on the other as she shrugged. She obviously couldn't speak from experience, but, there was a reason all the maintenance men at the winery were men, and it wasn't because her father was sexist. They just were notorious for being able to do harder work. Though when she stated the kitchen was Riley's domain, she nodded. "I've heard. I need to let him cook for me. I'll bring the groceries and a bottle of wine of course, but, I need to try these dishes of his." she stated. "And if we get to hang out and neither has to slave away in the kitchen that's a win for me." she laughed.

"You do matter, and I'm happy that she sees that." Anli stated, her eyes focusing on her cousin in the process. Having Felicity back in her life had to mean the world to Ruby, and while Anli didn't know how it felt personally, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the other's journey. Though the comment of being that single, made Anli laugh. "I don't mind it but I won't complain about the opportunity to not be sober." she admitted, taking the glass the other handed her. At the toast she nodded. "Amen to that." @rubyelliot

Ruby laughed softly, the sound light and warm as she nudged her cousin with her shoulder. “Well, to be fair, I let him help because I thought he’d just sit there and look pretty while I did the hard work,” she teased, a playful glint in her eyes. “But no, he insisted. The kitchen is his domain anyway.” There was something different about her now, something lighter in her smile and steadier in her eyes. Kismet had been both a return and a reckoning; somehow, with time and tenderness, she was beginning to find her footing again. Felicity is reaching out even with something as small as a Mother’s Day card, which is more to her than she could ever put into words. It was a gesture, a flicker of hope, and Ruby held onto it like it was the most precious thing she’d ever been given.

Watching Anli swipe away her tears made Ruby’s smile soften. She looped her arm around her cousin’s shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I still can’t believe she did that,” she whispered, her voice catching for a split second before she recovered, clearing her throat with a sheepish smile. “I didn’t even expect anything, you know? It felt like I mattered. ” Then, with a smirk, Ruby pulled back just enough to grab the wine bottle off the counter. “And girl, please,” she grinned. “You’re not allowed to be that single and this sober. Let’s fix that right now.” She poured them both a generous glass and lifted hers up with a grin. “To new beginnings and maybe even new loves for both of us.”

[anlidowning]

"I think that's for the best." Anli nodded. She'd never been in Ruby's position; not to the same extent anyways. When she'd found out she was pregnant she'd kept it a secret from Simon sure and now that Simon knew there was a part of her that felt guilty or shameful for not being able to spread the news that he was the one that was Olivia's father, but, at least she'd not had to give up her child at a young age when she hadn't really wanted to. Anli couldn't imagine that pain. "I'm just glad there seems to be something blossoming." she stated. "I know it probably means a lot to you." The mention of the sleepover made Anli's smile grow, eyes focusing on her cousin. "It is." she stated. "And if you need any help setting it up, you know where to find me." @rubywritesrp

Ruby let out a soft sigh, her fingers absently brushing over the rim of her coffee cup as she nodded. "It's going," she admitted, her voice quieter now, laced with something softer. "I'm thankful. Really thankful." She paused, her eyes drifting off as her mind pulled her somewhere deeper, somewhere that still ached even after all these years. Her heart swelled and cracked all at once when she thought about Felicity. About how her daughter had found her. Ruby had never stopped loving her. Not once. Not through the long nights or the empty years. She had wanted her. God, she had tried to keep her. She had wanted to be with Riley and raise their daughter together. But their parents hadn’t let that happen. They’d made choices that Ruby still felt like a wound that never quite healed. She blinked, shaking those thoughts away before they dragged her under again. That wasn’t what today was about. "I'm just letting Felicity come to me," Ruby said with a faint, almost apologetic smile. "I don't want to pressure her. I don't want to force her." Her voice caught for half a beat, and she exhaled through her nose, steadying. "It’s tough. Because she’s still my daughter. And I love her." That truth sat heavily in her throat, but she let it stay there, raw and real. Her smile returned, softer now but slightly brighter as she leaned back. "But, we’ll definitely have that sleepover. As soon as I get the guest room set up, it’s happening. Olivia’s got the right idea with pizza and sleepovers." Ruby laughed under her breath, thankful for the lighter note. "Maybe that’s exactly what we all need."

[anlidowning]

"Well, that's what happens when you let a man help you unpack." she laughed, tossing her cousin a playful wink. She knew the history of Ruby and Riley and how their break up had nearly ruined Ruby in a sense. She wasn't sure if her cousin would ever admit to that out loud, but, she'd noticed the change nearly immediately. She was just happy that there seemed to be a shift now. Her return to Kismet had seemed to be for the best; Riley was back in her life and she seemed to be making amends with Felicity, slowly. Which had Anli smiling just at the thought of it; if anyone deserved that connection it was Ruby and her daughter. Eyes focused on the card, Anli felt her own eyes well with tears as she looked at it, Ruby had a point. Felicity didn't have to. But she did. She felt the need to give her biological mother a card for mother's day and Anli could only imagine how great that felt to her cousin. Wiping her eyes with the collar of her shirt she let her gaze focus on the other. It wasn't until she returned to her side, the sparkle in her eyes that Anli laughed. "I'm so deprived in that department I don't think I'd even care if it was someone I loved." she chuckled. Eyes focusing on the other. "I feel like you should do it." she smiled. "To celebrate all of your accomplishments. I'm so damn happy for you, Ru." she smiled. "Now let's pour that wine before I start crying." @rubywritesrp

Ruby grinned at her cousin’s comment, shaking her head with a laugh as she made her way toward the kitchen. “You're not wrong,” she called over her shoulder. “Though I’m still trying to figure out where Riley stashed half the kitchen, swear he went full puzzle-master when unpacking.” She opened one drawer, then another, each movement familiar but not quite confident. “I still don’t know where everything is,” she admitted with a smirk. “He put most of this away and clearly had a vision I wasn’t a part of.” As she passed the fridge, her eyes landed on the slightly crinkled but carefully hung Mother’s Day card. Her steps slowed. It was from Felicity, her daughter, her daughter and even now, Ruby couldn’t look at it without her heart pulling in a dozen different directions. Their first Mother's Day together since everything. Since the moment nineteen years ago when Ruby had made the hardest choice of her life… and the unexpected, beautiful reunion that followed.

She took the card down gently, holding it for a beat before walking it over to Anli. “This.” she said softly, placing it on the counter. “Felicity gave this to me.” Her voice was warm but thick with emotion, her fingers brushing the edge of the card as if it were something fragile and sacred. “She didn’t have to, you know? But she did.” There was a pause, just long enough to let it settle between them, before Ruby cleared her throat lightly and moved back toward the drawers. She let out a quiet “yes” under her breath when she finally found the wine opener, holding it up like a prize. “Finally.” With a little victorious twirl, she returned to Anli and plopped down beside her. “And yeah,” she added with a sly, knowing smile, “sex is great. Especially when it’s with someone you love.” She didn’t say his name, didn’t have to. The sparkle in her eye, the softened look that came with just the thought that it was all his. She grabbed the wine bottle, handing over the opener with a playful raise of her brow. “You wanna do the honors or shall I?” @anlidowning

[anlidowning]

Anli had always been really big on spending as much time with family as she could; in whatever way she could be. It was primarily what ended up landing her back in Kismet and helping with the winery to begin with. So being close to Ruby again now that she was in town made Anli even happier. "I understand that. Whatever you want." she nodded. "If you want a housewarming party I'll help but I respect wanting something chill." she stated. "I just know regardless of what you decide you want Olivia will find herself a way to be involved." she laughed. Though Olivia would be more than happy with the thought of sleepovers and pizza. It was the mention of Felicity that made Anli look at Ruby. "If that's what you want to do I don't see why it's a problem." she stated. "Are you guys getting closer? How is that going? @rubywritesrp

Ruby’s lips curled into a soft, easy smile, her fingers still lightly tracing the frame of the art piece nestled carefully in her basket. She barely glanced away from the vibrant canvas as she answered, her voice full of warmth. "I would love to have you guys over," she said, meaning every word. "I don’t really want a whole housewarming party or anything like that." She gave a small, amused shake of her head, finally pulling her gaze to Anli. " But a little get-together sounds perfect. Movie night, pizza cozy. Just us." Her fingers toyed with the handle of the basket as she let out a quiet laugh, her eyes twinkling. "You and Liv better be ready. First official cuddles on the new bed are reserved." She nudged Anli playfully with her shoulder before her gaze drifted back toward the next wall of art, her heart feeling a little lighter than it had in weeks. "Maybe, I can see if Felcity wants to join too?" She posed questions, taking small steps to include her in her life and to get to know her better. "Or do you think that would be too much?"

[anlidowning]

Anli was all for surprise gestures; even if it something simple like a present she knew someone would adore. She couldn't deny that it was her love language; giving gifts that were perfectly and strategically designed to fit perfectly in the other's home. "I know it's not you're favorite thing - receiving surprise gifts - but, no new home is complete with out empty photo frames to put pictures in." she smiled, eyes focusing on her cousin as she mentioned opening the wine and pouring themselves a glass. Anli wouldn't argue; she was partial to the wine from the winery which is where that had come from of course, but, even if it had been a cheap box wine from the grocery store there was something about Anli and wine that just went hand in hand. "I think enjoying a glass of wine in your new home is the best way to break the place in." she stated, nodding. "Well, second best to sex but wine is more possible in my future, so, let's do it." @rubywritesrp

Ruby couldn’t help but smile, even if surprise gestures usually made her skin crawl. But this was Anli, her cousin, her ride-or-die, her lifeline in more ways than one—and her heart swelled at the gesture. “You didn’t have to.” she said warmly, her voice softer than usual, “but I really appreciate it.” She carefully pulled at the ends of the lavender wrapping paper, lifting the lid off the box. A quiet laugh escaped her lips as she looked inside. “Oh my god, this is so cute.” she said, pulling out the wine bottle first, then the pair of cutesy wine glasses adorned with tiny painted stars and moons, delicate and whimsical. “These are adorable.” She turned one in her hand before spotting the picture frames nestled underneath. Her smile widened. “I love it, Anli,” Ruby said genuinely, running her fingers across the edges of the frames. “I can’t wait to fill these, maybe it'll finally force me to print out some of my photos.” She looked back at her cousin, her eyes misty with more than just sentimentality. “Thank you. Really.” Her voice was full of warmth now, a rare kind of vulnerability showing through. “Should we open this bottle and have a small glass ot celebrate? It's five o'clock somewhere.” She set the frames down carefully, then reached over to hug Anli tightly. @anlidowning

[anlidowning]

Her eyes had barely left the art piece in her hand as she spoke, admiring the artwork and how much she resonated with it. Each piece strategically placed - not to mention a combination of her favorite colors - it was something she truly knew she had to have. "Oh don't you worry this is coming home with me." she stated, strategically placing it in the basket she'd grabbed at the entrance, eyes glancing around for any other type of artwork that she could add to her home. Though she took a step forward, letting herself gaze at the other pieces of art that were around them, shrugging as she took a moment to move on. Hearing that her and springtime had a vibe made Anli smile wider, nodding her head. She'd always loved Spring and she was honored to be compared to springtime. "That's probably the most romantic thing anyone's ever said to me." she chuckled, shaking her head as she looked at her cousin, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth as she listened. "Surreal how?" she tilted her head in question, eyes focused as the other began to speak. "Isn't it crazy how things can change so quickly?" Though she nearly choked on her own words when Ruby confessed that Felicity came to see her. "Oh. That's, wow." was all she could muster, eyes showing the smallest hint of sadness at the thought. Her heart had always heart for Ruby; she'd have done anything to make things work for her cousin when Felicity had been born. "I'm glad you guys are navigating that though." she nodded. "I'm sure it's heavy though." she shrugged. It was the house comment that seemed to perk the air up between them again and Anli nodded. "You better! Liv and I are the first ones to get to cuddle with you in that bed of yours, keep your word!" @rubywritesrp

Ruby paused beside Anli, her gaze flicking between her cousin and the stained glass piece in her hands. The way Anli looked at it, like it tugged on something deep in her chest, made Ruby smile quietly. “That’s so you,” she murmured, tilting her head at the art. “Sentimental with a dash of sparkle. If you don’t buy it, I will and then make you stare at it every time you come over.” She let the breeze catch her hair, closing her eyes for a second before laughing. “You and springtime always have a vibe.” At Anli’s question, Ruby shifted her weight and glanced down the row of booths before answering. “It’s been… surreal, honestly. Being back for two months now, it’s like I never left, and also like everything’s different.” She nudged Anli playfully. “Still finding my footing. I’m trying to slow down, breathe a little. It’s weird, not living out of a suitcase.” She paused, debating whether to say more, then shrugged and added, “Felicity came to find me. That was and is a whole emotional rollercoaster.” Ruby let out a dry chuckle, eyes searching Anli’s face. “We’re still figuring things out.” Her voice softened for a second before she cleared her throat and perked back up, gesturing vaguely in the air. “Anyway, once I actually close on the house, you’re the first person I’m inviting over. Deal?”