A/N: Just so ya don't get confused lemme explain something. This segment skips ahead in time from the previous chapter. That's how the comic goes, so that's what I have decided to stick with. I didn't feel confident with trying to add my own filler, as I am not completely sure what exactly this AU is all about. Otherwise I would prolly be making a full length story out of it right now, hahah.

Anyways, with that outta the way, enjoy~

Edit 1/20/16: Grammar fixes and minor tweaks.

Cinder hummed happily to herself. Another day's work completed successfully. It was nice to have Roman not screw up her plans like he so often did. At least sometimes he could get things right.

Cinder opened the door to her room, noticing her new addition to it..

"Ruby."

The girl was sitting up on the edge of the only bed. This was the first time she was awake before her return.

The young girl's cloak had slid off her shoulders and down around her waist, for the clasps were no longer there to support it. The collar of her shirt was splayed open, having been left unzipped from the previous night. Ruby appeared dazed, her gaze seeming distant.

"Oh, did you sleep well?" Cinder asked.

It seemed the young girl hadn't noticed her entrance, as she looked up at Cinder somewhat startled. The two stared at each other for a moment, Ruby seeming to try to process in her mind who this person in front of her was.

"Ah!" Ruby said quietly. A smile formed on her face as recognition had registered. "Cinder!" She exclaimed cheerfully.

Ruby leapt off the bed into Cinder's arms, followed by a rustle of clinking metal, but neither paid any mind to it. The woman loosely returned the hug, using one hand to play with the back of Ruby's hair. Cinder hummed in content at Ruby's needy embrace.

Ruby pulled back a bit, looking up at Cinder with an eager expression.

"Why are you so late?"

"I'm sorry. There was a lot of work to do."

She brought a hand up to Ruby's cheek and caressed it, earning a delighted giggle and bright smile from her. Then she moved the hand under Ruby's chin, tilting her face up so she could look into her eyes. She could also see one of many scars peeking out behind Ruby's shirt collar.

Cinder became stoic as she gazed deeply into those eyes. They seemed empty, hollow, and distant. They didn't hold the same boldness she saw when she had first seen the girl's fierce gaze upon her in the past.

Where was that liquid silver she savored so?

Of course, Cinder knew the answer to that. It was gone, just like Ruby's personal volition. What she had done to Ruby merely turned the girl into a puppet. A toy for her to do with as she pleased.

But why wasn't she satisfied?

"Cinder."

Ruby looked back at the quiet woman, before leaning forward to kiss her gently on the lips.

"Are you crying?" The young girl said worryingly. A frown forming on her features.

Cinder broke out of her reverie. Realizing she had distressed her treasure, she smiled reassuringly at the young girl.

Holding Ruby's hands she walked around her towards the bed, the girl turning her body to follow her. Cinder sat on the edge of it, letting go of her hold on Ruby to open her arms invitingly. Ruby smiled at her and leaned forward to rest her head against Cinder's chest, placing her hands on either side of the woman to support herself from falling over.

Cinder wrapped her arms around Ruby's shoulders to hold her there. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scented shampoo from Ruby's hair before speaking.

"Nope. How can I cry in front of you?" Ruby nuzzled her face into the crook of Cinder's neck, humming with content. A clinking could be heard as Ruby shifted, and Cinder tried to ignore it. "My little red riding hood."

Cinder opened her eyes to look past Ruby's head.

Wrapped around Ruby's leg was a reminder that the girl would never truly be hers. A chain, fastened around her ankle, kept her from straying out of the room.

Cinder had stolen her prize fairly and, in her eyes, she was ensuring its safety.

But why did she feel so anxious?