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Realistic or Modern Those That Remain

If only Ruby knew that she didn't owe him anything, that truth made the knife of guilt twist deeper into his gut as she blindly accepted his lie without a second thought. He couldn't answer her as she tried to delve deeper into the why of things, not when he knew he'd break and admit the truth. Instead, Grim forced his hands into his pockets and hoped against all hope that they didn't run into anyone else bearing the insignia. He didn't know what it meant to see all those men here, but if Rivers did anything to back of the deal he'd have another thing coming. A muscle ticked in his jaw, and the only thing that brought him back to the present was the sight of Ruby and the adorable way she seethed against his threat.

"Can you even reach my nose?" He teased as she walked past him and paused throwing a look over her shoulder that had him needing to adjust his tattered pants. He pulled up his neckerchief in an effort to hide the shit eating grin he wore as Ruby started to make her way down the ladder. He followed her and soon they were within the overgrown building, the must and mold of decay strong and harsh against his lungs. Ruby theorized on their location and he found himself nodding.

"Sounds about right." He was about to speak again when Ruby thrust open the door and he had to put a lot more effort into not keeling over than he would have thought possible. The smell was worse by tenfold and he lifted an arm to hover under his nose, though sadly that didn't help much. He was surprised when her hand reached out and he felt the gentle tug of the fabric of his shirt, his amber eyes took in the shine from hers, the crows feet near his eyes crinkled as he returned the gesture. She threw out her challenge and Grim rumbled his agreement. "Bring it on, little girl." Ruby once more took the lead and he followed her without delay, dropping his bandaged hand and pulling the rifle from his back once more. Thanks to her bandaging the weapon wasn't nearly as painful to hold. Their feet thumped rapidly down the stairs and Grim took the inside lane when he spotted an opening, his hand reaching out to grip the rail as he swung himself further down the stairs, taking the lead for just a moment before Ruby and her agile little form breezed past him.

If he wanted to win, which let's be honest, of course he did- Grim was going to have to take some desperate measures. As they neared the bottom of the stairs, needing only one more turn before they would hit the main floor, Grim once more grabbed for the rail, and instead of following the path of the stairs he used his forward momentum and with a little hop he was over the rail and landing on the dusty main floor just as Ruby finished. Truly there was no way to tell who what won but that wasn't going to stop him from assuming that it was him.

"I think I deserve a reward for that win Red." Grim spoke, his head jerking up in a motion that was all cockiness. The main floor of the building was just as overgrown, it's windows shadowed by vines and dust dulling the suns light. A hall ran through the building and based on the rotted placards on the doors, he had to assume these were more offices, once useful, now hazardous places for infected to hide. There wasn't a sound, other than the two looters as Grim once more prodded for Ruby to acknowledge his victory. "I'm just saying, style points matter and I certainly have you beat for that finishing move." He told her as they began to make their way down a hall, towards what they hoped would be a connecting corridor.

The rounded a corner and the two of them spotted the old glass doors that had been chained shut, barring them from moving any further into the building. As they approached Grim took a look at the lock that held the chains together, his brows furrowing.

"I don't suppose you have a way of getting through this?" He asked, already gearing up to smash the glass of the door.
 
Perhaps the sound of slamming footsteps wasn't the smartest considering what had just happened to them, but god damn they needed some light relief and so Ruby launched herself into their race as Grim did. His legs were much longer than hers but she was agile, zippy as she zigzagged across his path, trying to both cut him up and put him off. She had to admit though as they neared the end, his hop over the railing was a stroke of genius and although she was pretty sure he touched down before she did, there was no way in hell she was going to let him know that. "Oh heck no! You don't get points for cheating grandad, you should know that after your many years of playing." Ruby's eyebrows raised, her neckerchief pushing in and out with the pants of her breath. "And besides, you'd have to be stylish to win style points so..." Then she gave a shrug, as they began their way down the hall at the bottom, which held thankfully no further signs of infected. "Let's just say on this occasion I was feeling kind and did offer you a reward though, which I'm not saying I am, just if I did," she continued, "... What would you want? A walking stick for that ol' back of yours? A pipe? A catheter, maybe?" It became very clear very quickly that Ruby was bringing herself a lot of amusement as the redhead cackled to herself, although in a way her joking was deeper rooted than that. It was an attempt to get them back to where they had been before, to gently poke the bear again as she so loved doing and believed that he secretly loved her to do. The sound of her voice however, died as they approached the chained glass door.

Almost immediately, Ruby began to scour the area, searching for alternatives but in the end she came up with nothing, other than starting back where they'd come from and using the front entrance, which she knew neither of them would want given the pile of charred remains that littered their path. So in the end, she shook her head and with a defeated sigh, because she could tell by the way that Grim was moving what was about to happen next. "Not this time. Do your thing, if you want. If there were infected here, they'd have most likely perished with the others."

Taking a few steps back, Ruby made sure she was out of the way of flying shards of glass, flinching when the crash came despite what she had said. A small part of her still listened for the strangled cries, the patter and grunting of footsteps, though thankfully this time none ever came. So instead, she settled into watching Grim's arms flex as he smashed the glass and remained thankful for the neckerchief covering her hungry expression.

A few moments later and the two of them stepped through where the door had once been and began down what Ruby assumed was the connecting corridor, that thankfully, eventually opened out into the centre of the hall they had been so close to previously. The gooey remains of the body they'd caught the three undead feasting on still lay in a mangled pool of blood in the centre of the foyer, along with other human remains, some identifiable, some not. "Fuck," Ruby muttered under her breath, growing slightly pale at the metallic scent in the air. "This really was a blood bath. It's a good job we left when we did..." And a good job we got delayed at the cabin. She thought it, but she didn't say it as she edged around the crimson on the floor, looking for clues as to what may have happened. Only when she spotted the top half of an infected body cradling what looked to be a vase did she stop, her brows furrowing again at the confusing sight and the way that there were even more bodies strewn around the one that held it.

"Hey, look at this," she called over to wherever Grim was, crouching down to take a closer look. There was a smashed glass cabinet behind them where it looked as though the artefact had been taken from. "Do you think it was worth something or...?"
 
Ruby would never make things easy for him, and truthfully that was absolutely fine by Grim. He didn't mind pushing buttons and using dirty tricks to feel like he was on top when it came to Ruby. Her words had him scoffing and he bumped his arm into hers sending her a few steps to the right as he nudged her. A walking stick? Catheter, oh she had it coming. He'd been more than happy to assert himself as in control over the conversation that was steadily leading them to more pleasurable territory when they had approached the door and Grim had been reminded of what was at stake. It was too easy to fall into their natural banter and forget about the dangers that could have lurked behind every door. He needed to do better for the both of them and that meant putting the conversation of his eventual reward on pause until they got back to the truck.

The shattering of the glass filled the room once he's gotten Ruby's permission and Grim worked quickly to ensure they had enough space to step through the metal frame of what had once been the door. The glass crunched beneath their feet as they moved into the familiar space of the hall, now newly painted over with the gore of what had happened before. He followed as Ruby took a few cautious steps towards the massacre, the both of them scanning as they tried their best to understand what on earth had happened in the short time they had been away.

"Whatever it was..." Grim trailed off, following Ruby's gaze as she noticed one of the infected, it's body curled around a vase almost protectively. The vase looked to be old, even as blood coated it's surface he could make out the old crack of clay and the decorative markings around it's lip. Something didn't sit right with him as Ruby crouched and even before she finished asking him if the vase was worth anything he was on her, hauling her up, lifting her clean off her feet and hoisting her over his shoulder like she was a sack of potatoes. He stepped clear of the scene, making his way to the stairs that held the storage rooms. "Whatever it is Ruby, if the infected wanted it that means it can't be good." He held her there as he walked up the stairs. "Let the dead hold their treasures." As he placed her down on the second floor landing he couldn't help but glance around the space, a few of the glass casings that had held artefacts were smashed open, and Grim knew that Rivers had likely demanded the men to bring him more to treasures to add to the collection in his home. Even now, when material goods like art were worthless the man hadn't given up on "being civilized."

"Smells like shit in here, lets get out before I can't get the smell out of my nose." He grumbled, tossing once more look at the mess below them. From the dusty windows Grim could make out the last of the blaze from the hoard, thankfully the surrounding buildings were stone and concrete meaning the only thing that could burn were the bodies themselves. Grim's pack slipped from his shoulder and he opened it to pull out a number of reusable bags that he intended to fill. They would have to make a number of trips back and forth between the truck and the fort to fill it to the brim as requested and already his shoulders and hands ached. The rooms were considerably messier than they had left them and from the boxes and bags that stood alongside the wall, the men had already begun looting when something had attacked them.

They worked quickly, taking over from where Grant's men had left off and much to Grim's delight he discovered a wagon that could be piled up with goods to make the transfer to the truck a bit easier as he brought down the first of the boxes that would need to go. He hissed as he set a box down into the wagon and curled his hands tightly together trying to ignore the small bits of red dotting through his bandages and indicating he was bleeding through. He was making his way back up stairs again when the growl of a newly infected sounded from one of the rooms on the second floor.

"Fuck, Ruby." Grim didn't hesitate, pulling out his pistol from the band of his pants and rushing forward.
 
Something was definitely up with that vase, she could feel it too. Infected didn't care about anything or anyone, including each other, yet here the remains of one was, clutching a piece of furniture. It didn't make sense, it--

Before she could think anymore on it however, a large hand was curling around her slender arm and lifting her clean off her feet, chucking her body over Grim's shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Hey, what the fuck grandad, put me down?! What the fuck do you think you're doing? I'm not a child! Seriously, Grim, put me down or I swear to God I'm gonna kick you so damn hard..." Yet despite her threats, Ruby was so outraged about being manhandled and deposited again once they were back upstairs and in the storage rooms, that she didn't notice that it was too late to do anything about it until it was too late. Her small hands pushed against Grim's broad chest once she was back on her feet, before she straightened her shirt and the gun on her shoulders, trying to shake off the feeling of his large arm very high up her thighs. "Jerk," she muttered, brushing herself off and then finally seeing past her irritation enough to look around.

The place looked similar to how they had left it, bar a few smashed artefact cases which again, puzzled Ruby a little but she let it lie, figuring they must have had some kind of monetary value somewhere that she wasn't aware of. Her thoughts, like Grim's, flitted to Grant Rivers briefly, for she knew that he liked to collect 'pretty' things and she doubted that he was the last of men like him who endeavoured to do so. The thought in itself sent a shudder rippling through her, so she was grateful for Grim's grumbling that gave her something else to think about. "I think it's a little bit late for that," she commented, but returned the sentiment that the sooner they were done, the sooner they could leave this place that had become a graveyard in a matter of days.

They worked efficiently together despite Grim's wounds; Ruby took the flack where she could and she had to admit, she enjoyed his reaction when he happened upon the wagon that made their lives a hell of a lot easier. She couldn't say he felt the same about hers though, when her first instinct was to sit in it with her legs crossed and stretched out in front of her, as though she expected him to push her with it. A tilt of the damn thing later and Ruby was up and out again, and filling boxes with more weapons, medicines and whatever else they could find that looked like it might be of any use. She was crouched rifling through an old box of magazines when she heard Grim approaching again, one look at his hands immediately sending her chest flipping a little with concern. The offer for her to redress them however, was cut off before it could properly begin, by yet another ear-piercing scream and Grim's following curse.

"Shit." Ruby stood, pulling her rifle from her shoulder, adrenaline already buzzing. When her companion started forwards though, she tugged him backwards, rather forcefully for someone of her stature. "Wait," she hissed. "We don't know how many there are." Then after a quick glance around them, she spotted an upturned cabinet and started tugging him by his wrist towards it, so they could crouch out of sight. Silently, Ruby brought a finger up to her lips and then peeked over the top of the wood, long enough to see a more human looking zombie cricking and squawking down the flight of stairs that led to the next level balcony. Ruby had come across infected who couldn't see before; she knew they could hear, but so long as they remained silent... She also knew that this happened to the most freshly turned, but she put that thought to bed for now, until they were safe once more.

As the creature seemed to turn towards them, Ruby ducked and it screamed again, taking horribly oozing steps from where it had initially stood. The redhead dared glance at Grim as they listened, skin pale, olive eyes wide, unblinking as she scanned for somewhere they could move to next... until the thought was once again interrupted by a second presence. Two. There were two of them. She was so sure of it but she dared not look, should she attract their attention. They could take two of them, she was so sure of it, but the element of surprise always helped.

Trying to stretch her hearing as far as it would go, as a shuffling began in the opposite direction, Ruby finally dared look up. Both of the creatures had their backs to them, and she took the opportunity to make a dash for it, staying low once she reached a set of crates. The infected closer to her prickled as though sensing something, and she remained curled with her back against the wood as it came closer, her gun held tightly to her chest, eyes closed, reminding herself to breathe. If it could just move away for long enough, she and Grim could now round on the two of them, one on one... or at least that's what she thought, not yet realising that a third and fourth were currently making their way down the stairs too.
 
His original plan to dive head first into danger was quickly thwarted by the sharp pull of Ruby's redirection. Her fingers circled his wrist and he went with her without uttering a single word as they ducked behind the overturned cabinet. Ruby was completely right in her hushed words, they truly didn't know how many more they were up against, Grim's back pressed against the wood, his spine melding against the grain as he tried to make himself smaller and quieter. His hands curled around the rifle in his hands, the pain already a thing of the past as once more their lives potentially hung in the balance. He knew it was insane to feel the sharp burst of pride in his chest as he and Ruby dealt with the small army River's had sent, but he couldn't help it.

Low click's filled the air, the sound echoing through the halls and forcing him to keep his breathing as quiet as possible. He knew from experience that any sound would have the infected on them within moments. While they certainly couldn't see by standard means, the hearing of the infected was heightened. Olive met amber and both Grim and Ruby glanced towards one another sightlessly, all their attention focused on the noises coming from behind the cabinet. When the shuffling sounded further away Ruby dared a peek over the edge, and Grim could sense she was gearing to move. As quickly and as quietly as he could he twisted, pushing his knee to the ground, ignoring the rubble around him that dug into his skin. His gun was over the edge and pointed towards the infected, as Ruby made a move to get closer.

There was a slight rustle from Ruby as she found her new location and Grim stiffened, his barrel pointed directly at the infected that seemed to hesitate, it's head tilting as it's ears strained to hear the presence of it's next meal. From his vantage point he could see Ruby mustering herself for their next attack, and Grim adjusted his grip, readying himself for their next confrontation when he spotted motion out of the corner of his eye. Grim's barrel didn't budge, but his eyes lost sight of the target as he spotted two more of the infected lumbering their way down the stairs.

Fucking great.

All four of the infected clicked, what had once been human voices now sounded more guttural and animalistic as they sought out their prey. Grim had to act quickly, knowing that Ruby was in the eventual path of the zombies that were trudging down the steps. This situation called for something that was quicker than the rifle that needed to be reloaded between every shot. Grim caught Ruby's eye as he reached for the pistol in the band of his pants and with his free hand he gestured towards her and pointed with two spread fingers to the infected behind her, then he pointed to himself and then to the two zombies just reaching the bottom of the stairs. They didn't have much time, and Grim once more gestured to himself, tapping his nose, hoping she understood that he wanted her to move on his signal.

Grim found a piece of rubble that was about the size of his palm and gripped it tightly. He wasted no more time in chucking the rock up and over Ruby's head and towards a wall, where it clunked loudly, drawing identical screeches out of the infected. Watery growls were mixed with rapid panting as all four of them lurched forward towards the sound. He had to move now, Grim surged to his feet, his hands circling around the pistol, his finger squeezing rapidly, each bullet piercing through the air and embedding into the creatures as they swung around at the new noise. One, then two fell, the bullets finding rest in the rotted brains that not longer carried a soul. He was taking care of the third when the last of the infected barreled into the crates Ruby was behind.
 
This wasn't the time to freeze. Despite every fibre of her being screaming at her to stay still, to shut her eyes until the fear went away, Ruby pushed through it, glancing over to Grim just in time for her to see his instruction. Silently, she nodded her head at him and her own grip upon her rifle grew even tighter as she watched him pick up a rock and then fling it to capture the attention of the infected. The shrieks and grunts that followed saw Ruby straightening to her feet, rapid gunfire launching upon the group from Grim's pistol as she trained her own rifle upon the fourth and final target. Pulling her trigger however, saw no shot fire as it jammed up and panic began to eat away at her actions. The redhead kept trying rather than reverting to a different weapon, taking small steps backwards as the thing lurched towards her and barrelled into the crates that had previously separated them. Only then did she looked up to see it gaining on her and in the end she swung her gun towards its skull at just the right moment, hitting bone and flesh with a sickening thud.

The undead was sent down but not down enough as it reached out a hand for Ruby's ankle, gripping tightly and hauling its bloodied mouth towards her flesh. In her struggle, she toppled down onto her front with a cry, her leg kicking wildly in an attempt to free herself. The sting of nails grazed her skin, and only when she managed to get some purchase did her foot swing up into the creature's jaw once, twice and then again and again, until it was down and she was up, mashing into what was left of its head with her boot. Only when she was absolutely sure that it wouldn't move again did she stagger backwards from it, panting heavily, unaware that blood was seeping through the rips around the bottom of her jeans.

Her face was pale as she leaned over to pick up her rifle. "Fucking... barrel jammed," she breathed out, angrily, clearly shaken by what was again a close call. "Do you think there's many more in this damn place? I can't..." Keep doing this. But despite herself, the words didn't leave her mouth as she shook her head and hooked her gun back over her shoulder, silently vowing to replace it at the next opportunity. "You know," she then went on, "If you hadn't been in such a pissy mood when we left the truck earlier, I'd have had time to grab a better weapon." The snipe was sudden, seemingly out of nowhere as she lashed out at the only other person in the vicinity who could take it. It was uncalled for, she knew that but her emotions were so heightened in that moment she couldn't help herself. A glance at Grim caused guilty to flare in her chest but when she looked down again, avoiding eye contact made it easier to ignore.

In the brief silence that followed, Ruby nudged at the remains of the zombie at her feet and after several moments she finally pulled herself away and back towards the cart that was full of their loot. "I wanna grab something before we go. Why don't you start hauling that thing outside so we can finally get out of this hell hole?"
 
The clatter of the crates and the click of a jammed rifle were drowned out by the thumping of Grim's heart. His pistol turned, training on the struggling form of Ruby as she hurled her gun into the infected, only to fall to the ground a few moment's later as the undead creature pulled Ruby to the ground in it's haste to sink its teeth into her. Grim rushed forward, trying to get a shot in on the infected but couldn't as Ruby's foot and body stopped him from being able to put a bullet through its skull. He was faintly aware of the sound of ripping as Ruby kicked once more, sending the creatures head back with a disgusting snap. Within seconds the redhead was up on her feet and crushing the remains under her boot.

Grim's pistol only lowered when Ruby bent to retrieve her own. Concern lanced through him, sending his brows down in V as Ruby asked if his thought there was anyone left for them to take care of. He'd been about to answer when Ruby's next jab hit him square in the chest. He'd been in the act of slipping the gun away when he froze, a hot rush of anger at the both of them boiling through his veins. Their eyes met only for the briefest of moments, Ruby looked away first but Grim found he couldn't tear his eyes away from the fireball of a woman. His gaze traveled down the line of her and landed on the torn leg of her pants and the red, blood stained fabric.

"Stop right there Ruby." His voice was lethal, and he advanced on her like the grizzly he was. His movements were slow and deliberate despite the way he mind screamed at him to hurry and make sure she was alright. Concern and anger melded, becoming one and when Grim was within arms reach of Ruby he acted. In one moment Ruby was standing near the cart and in the next Grim was depositing her on top of one of the carts that the wagon held. He'd scooped her up like a parent might when they were about to sit their child down for a scolding. In and effort to quell what ever argument or reaction was brewing inside of her he pointed a stern finger at her. "No. You don't get to argue with me right now." All that mattered was making sure she was ok, and he couldn't do that when every time she opened her mouth he wanted to throw her over his knee. He pushed his pistol into her hands, along with a fresh magazine before he went to pick up the handle of the wagon and began to roll it out of the building.

The fresh air hit them, a welcome reprieve from the stench of the undead, though truthfully with the fire of bodies still burning nearby the air wasn't all that fresh. Still it was an improvement, which was saying something. Once they were clear of the building Grim dropped the handle and returned to Ruby, his pack already slipping from his shoulders as he dug out his med kit. He dropped to his knee, and peered at the ankle that dangled over the side of the cart and crates. With gentle fingers he peeled back the fabric of her shredded pant legs revealing five long and deep scratch marks that were steadily bleeding. His intake of breath was the only thing to betray how awful it felt, looking at Ruby's injury.

"I'll grab what you were hoping to get after this." Grim grumbled, already ready with counter arguments. He pulled out the wipes and looked up at her with blazing eyes. "It's gonna sting." He warned her only moments before he pressed the antiseptic wipe to her skin. He did his best to be quick and thorough and after a few of the wipes were stained pink with Ruby's blood. Her foot rested on the top of his knee, as he wrapped the bandage around her skin and once he was certain it was taken care of he rose. "Keep guard over the stuff and tell me what you need." He grumbled. Unable to help himself he reached to pull down at the fabric covering half of her face, revealing the stubborn set of her mouth. His eyes moved over her, almost as if he was seeking out anymore injuries that might need his tending.
 
Even though she hated herself for it, Grim's tone and the words he spoke saw Ruby halting on the spot, a shiver of something not entirely unpleasant slipping down her spine. She turned to face him with fire in her eyes, to see his looming presence approaching her slowly and with serious intent. Grim may have felt like a parent scolding but Ruby certainly felt like the child being scolded, although before she could say a word she was being scooped into deliciously strong arms to be cradled and carried over to their cart where she was eventually deposited down into it. "Stop using my size against me," she grumbled in a weak attempt to fight back, though it was clear she planned on for once, doing as she was told, simply because if she was honest... it was comforting to be looked after, even though her mind told her not to allow it. Ruby hadn't been cared for, for as long as she could remember and it made a nice difference to have someone else thinking about what she needed, especially when she wasn't always so great at doing it herself. Although, she had been about to make further comment, her mouth opening ready when a stern finger was thrown her way and she clamped her lips shut again, teeth clacking against each other, and that's exactly how she remained when Grim's pistol was thrust into her lap and he picked up the cart to start guiding them both outside.

Sitting with her chin rested in her hands and her lips set into a firm line, again, much like a sulking child, only did she look up again when the cart was placed back down. The fresh air, despite not being entirely clean felt nice on her face and she gulped down several mouthfuls of it behind her neckerchief as she tried to calm herself down, to shake off the adrenaline and the bitterness that sometimes took a hold after killing one too many had been people. She didn't say anything as Grim dropped to his knee in front of her, pulling her boot onto his knee so he could examine where the nails of the infected had scraped away her skin. The redhead automatically tensed as he came near the wound, although she was briefly distracted at his mention or retrieving whatever it was she wanted from inside. For a moment, her expression faltered just a little before her gaze dropped again down to where he began to pull wipes out of his pack. Ruby had purposefully intended to go and collect what she wanted alone, to save herself from the inevitable questions that would come from them going together. It wasn't that she wanted to be dishonest, or keep things from Grim, more just that she just really wasn't in the mood for conversation.

At the mention of her wound stinging, olive met amber again and Ruby gave a small nod of agreement, though as the alcohol hit her flesh she hissed anyway and instinctively tried to snap her leg away, despite the firm hold keeping it in place. After a small while it became more bearable and eventually, when the job was done, Ruby let out a breath she hadn't realised she had been holding, the warm air gushing through her nose as Grim straightened and spoke once more. She looked up at him when he leaned down to remove the material around her face, her expression stubborn, angry, determined as her gleaming eyes studied his for the longest moment before she once again sighed in defeat and sat forwards to look down at the bandage now around her leg. She should really thank him for it, she knew that but she couldn't bring herself to. Or at least not yet, anyway.

"The vase," she eventually muttered rather sheepishly, trying not to squirm before she glanced at Grim, and discomfort was replaced by an indignant expression when he looked like he was about to argue. "Please don't. I can't explain why, I just think we should take it okay? So either you can go get it or I will. Your choice."
 
It hurt his heart more than he thought possible when Ruby hissed in pain, her leg automatically retracting back away from his ministrations. He hated holding her down while she struggled, but it had to be done and when he was finally finished he straightened, brushing the dirt from his ripped knees. She was more quiet than usual and Grim folded his lips into a tight line as he waited for her to explain what she wanted. He'd have burned down the building for her if it would make her happy. When she asked for the vase it was clear from the frown he sent her way that he thought it was stupendously stupid but he didn't comment. She gave him her ultimatum and he sent his eyes skyward, asking whatever high powers that might have been listening for patience and to make it back to her. He grunted his assent and bent down to pull out an old shirt from his pack, with the infected touching it as tightly as he had, he hesitated to touch the clay carvings.

With one last searing look back to Ruby, one that told her in no uncertain terms she was to remain where she was and if he found she had gotten up she had hell to pay. Grim's heavily inked hand adjusted the cloth around his face and after ensuring Ruby held his pack he pulled his rifle free and once more re-entered the building. It was eerily quiet inside, the hall which had just been filled with chaos moments before now lay silent, the stench of the dead seeping into every silent nook and cranny. Grim spotted the body, still curled around the vase, shielding it from the outside world. With his boot he shoved the body, forcing it away from the vase. He winced a little as it landed in the blood soaked ground with a clatter but thankfully it didn't break. With the old shirt he wrapped the vase, taking care not to touch it. Once it was properly wrapped he made a move to turn when something stopped him.

River's insignia gleamed up at him, it's patch soaked with blood. The idea of throwing that at the mans feet as he retuned a single man able to accomplish was a small army had not. The thought of the satisfaction that would bring had him placing the vase gently on the floor before approaching the patch with a knife. With a few cuts to the fabric Grim held the blood soaked patch and folded it in on it's self. He still wasn't interested in telling Ruby about his discovery so after wiping it against the floor a few times to try and get rid of the excess blood he tucked it away into his pocket and turned to leave the space for the final time. There was no way he was going back in there after the time they'd had. Already his skin was prickling with awareness that whatever had happened here was important.

The outside air was warm and welcome against the stench from inside and Grim pulled his face covering down as he exited. He returned to Ruby, thrusting the vase out for her to take without a word. He didn't let her jump off the wagon and went to pick up the handle once more. It took some doing, and it was a bit of a bumpy ride but soon Grim pulled the wagon and Ruby clear of the city and towards the truck as the sky turned orange with the early evening light. His hands ached from the events of earlier and pulling the wagon but not once did he wince or complain. He had a job to do and he was going to make sure he and Ruby got through it.

After arriving back at the truck Grim once more hoisted Ruby off the wagon, setting her gently down in the passenger seat of the truck. He didn't like the idea of her putting pressure on her leg, even if it was only just a flesh wound. He couldn't help the slide of his eyes down to the wrapped up vase, he didn't have a clue why she would want it, but she had expressed that she wasn't inclined to answer him. The mystery of it all was infuriating and he couldn't help the small voice in his head that spoke. Maybe she'll tell you why if you share about Rivers. No, that was seriously stupid. If anything she'd beat him over the head with the vase. The patch all but burned a hole in his pocket as he began to load the back of the truck. The silence fell once more between them, filled only with Grim's grunts as he loaded crate after crate. When he was finished he asked the first question that came to his mind, pointing down at her left ankle, the one that had been injured.

"I saw the scars under the scratches there. Looked nasty." Ok maybe it wasn't a question, more of a statement, but that didn't stop him from hoping she would elaborate.
 
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Ruby very much expected more than just an eye roll and she was simmering for a battle before Grim wordlessly did as she asked, much to her surprise. The redhead watched him ready himself to go back inside and her eyes didn't leave him until he disappeared from sight, a flare of guilt rippling through her once more, because this was what she wanted. What if something happened to him while he was in there on his own, retrieving something she had requested, what if there were more infected, what if, what if, what if... The scenarios played out like small horror films in her mind, both for what could happen and for what it would do to, and the longer that passed without Grim re-emerging, the closer Ruby became to going against his orders and going in there after him. In fact, she had just placed her hands on the cart in preparation to push herself to her feet when she spotted him, and a wave of relief flooded through her, causing her to flop back against the wood.

When he thrust out the vase for her to take Ruby did so without speaking herself, refusing to let on that she'd been quietly freaking out with worry for him. Instead, she cradled the material clad artefact to her chest as Grim made to wheel her and their loot back to the truck before she could so much as ask permission to walk there herself.

The small journey was silent and Ruby spent most of it trying to force a thank you from her lips and yet she still couldn't quite manage it even when they arrived at the truck, or when Grim lifted her and gently placed her down in the passenger seat. The door closed behind her and Ruby placed the vase down into the cab behind her chair, before proceeding to watch her companion in her wing mirror and knowing even if she tried to help he wouldn't let her. She was very well aware that his hands had to be hurting with the exertion of the work so when he finally got into the drivers seat she glanced over at them and then up at Grim when he spoke with mild surprise. That... wasn't what she had been expecting to come out of his mouth and shuffling slightly, she turned to look at the window, at the orange sky above. After everything he'd just done for her, the very least she could do is speak to him without biting his head off, treat him like the saint he had just been when she needed it the most.

"They're burn scars," Ruby answered quietly once the engine had started and Grim began to pull them away from the fort. "Some guys set the building my mom and I were sheltering in alight and she had to get me out." Ruby shrugged. "She cried for days afterwards. Thought I was screaming because I was scared, not because my leg was burning." The painful memory flooded Ruby's mind and she shifted in an attempt to rid herself of it, surprised at how easy the words had come. She never spoke of her mother and yet this was the second time in a few days with him, which she supposed spoke volumes in itself.

Another silence followed then before she couldn't help but looked over at Grim again with a softer expression, her anger and bitterness finally ebbing away to be replaced with... gratitude. Her eyes skimmed his profile, the sharp nose and set of his jaw, the way his bears curled around his lips, his scruffy hair tied at the base of his neck. The thanks was on the tip of her tongue, but instead she found herself speaking an explanation, which she hoped would be taken as a partial thanks in itself.

"There's someone back home," she spoke into the quiet, "Who takes an interest in things like that vase. I figured he'd find it interesting, that there was an infected trying to keep the thing safe. That's why I wanted it." Okay, so maybe not the whole truth but it was as close as she could get without giving away something that wasn't hers to give. Though it would seem that this no longer felt like enough and so finally with a sigh, Ruby gave in completely. "Thank you. For going back to get it for me. And for patching me up... Even if your bandage work is shoddy at best." Then a smirk came, olive eyes glimmering with mirth in the dwindling light. However, as another thought struck her upon realising how dark it was getting, any amusement upon her expression remained short-lived with the question that came next.

"So... uh, do you think we should... stop at the cabin again? Before it gets too dark? Might be sensible to stop for a while, rest up somewhere we know is safe?"
 
He was rewarded by her honesty and Grim listened with rapt attention as he pulled the truck away from Fort Strand. His hands tightening on the wheel as he thought of the bastards that had hurt Ruby and her mother, how they had heartlessly driven them out of their shelter, and for what? His nostrils flared and he debated asking her if the worthless sacks of flesh were still alive, if they were he'd make sure their days were numbered. However that didn't seem like the right thing to say, even if the animal inside of him thought Ruby might like to see the men who'd burned her beg for mercy. He wasn't sure what to say in response to her truth and he shot a glance her way, and regretted it almost instantly. If she was going to keep looking at him with those earnest eyes he was likely to drive them off the road.

His throat cleared and in the few seconds of silence he did his best not to turn and look at her again. Ruby spoke once more and Grim listened as she explained to him that someone in her camp would find interest in the object. Grim wasn't the thoughtful sort, so he found it astounding that she would think of her campmates interest as she bled from her leg. He didn't tell her that however, and nor did he tell her that the person back at her camp sounded like a bit of a nut case to him, not when she spoke to him so sweetly- and then she ruined it by making a jab at his bandage work.

"Keep talking like that Princess and I'll make you walk the rest of the way home." He rumbled. Ruby's expression died with her next question and Grim's foot pressed down on the gas unintentionally, sending them rocketing down the road. Images of the night before flashed through his mind, and he recounted the arch of her back and how glorious she'd tasted coming apart on his tongue. He had the sudden insane urge to reach over and lay his hand over her thigh and give it a squeeze. He didn't of course, but that didn't stop his fingers from twitching. He knew it was probably logical to go back to the cabin and rest up. They both needed to rest up in a place they knew was secure, but would it be safe for their hearts?

"I suppose we could do that." He allowed. "I'll sleep on the couch and you can take the bed." He set the boundary right away, the image of Ruby's regretful face still burned on the back of his eyes. He couldn't let her look at him like that again. It was safer for everyone all around that he keep his hands to himself, no matter how much she fit perfectly against him. It was an act of pure desperation that had him reaching into his pocket and gripping the patch. There was only a moment's hesitation before he brought it out and tossed it on the centre console, so that if Ruby wanted to grab it she could.

"I found this on some of the men. I'm sure you know what it means." Grim set his jaw, Ruby had been so honest with him, it was only fair he do the same- even if it was also a distraction from more pleasurable thoughts. "After this he'll have no choice but to accept my freedom. I - We did what his men could not." He caught himself and corrected the victory to include the both of them, because truly he'd be dead without her help.
 
Grim's rumbled retort had her snorting in amusement before the mood change of her question, one which Ruby was very well aware was towing dangerously close to an edge neither of them were comfortable with, but for the sake of sensibility she asked anyway. His response however, in the form of an immediate drawing of a boundary caused a flash of hurt to lance through her, one that she looked away to the window to try and hide. Ruby was well aware that she probably had no right to feel that way, especially when she was a large part of the reason for why they hadn't spoken on the night they spent together since it happened. That didn't mean however, that she wasn't looking for some kind of sign that he thought about it as much as she did, that nearly every waking moment since Ruby had imagined what his hands would feel like on her again, had thought about how she wanted to wrap her hands into his hair so that they could breathe together through their simultaneous undoing.

In the end though, the redhead spoke to none of those feelings but instead took her shot at a safer space, one that he had created and she willingly stepped into. "I'll take the couch. I need less space than you." Plus, she wasn't sure she could bear to sleep in the bed alone.

The silence that followed was so full of their shared, yet unspoken thoughts on the matter that it wasn't long before Ruby felt it becoming intolerable. She could feel a flame simmering in her gut, one that threatened to demand Grim pull over the truck on the side of the road so she could clamber into his lap and they could finally rid themselves of the tension that had been building since they travelled on this road in the opposite direction. Therefore, it was somewhat of a relief when he pulled the material from his pocket and chucked it onto the dash, only for Ruby's brow to furrow in confusion as she glanced at him, then at it, and finally leaned forwards to take it into her hand. Needless to say, it didn't take her long to work out what it was, or where Grim had gotten it from, olive eyes widening as she began to piece together where exactly the undead had come from.

"Grant Rivers sent those guys? Jesus." She twisted slightly in her seat to catch a better look at her companion, noting his correction but feeling much too emotional to comment on it. "You really think he sent them to collect supplies and not to haul your ass back to Fort Haven for taking too long? If he's pissed at the delay, I wouldn't be so sure he'll let you off that easily, loot or no loot." Ruby scoffed, but it was mainly because the words tasted like ash in her mouth; any mention of that god-awful place was too long spent on thinking about it.

"I can't believe you trust him to keep his word after this. If anything, this is literal evidence of the distrustful prick he really is. God," Ruby shook her head as she chucked the material back onto the dash, possible speaking a little too candidly on a sensitive subject. As usual. "He must really have something on you, huh. The only glimmer of hope in this whole thing is that those guys were infected before they reached Strand, gifted the sickness to fucking Rivers himself."
 
Her reaction was as he expected and hoped it to be. It wasn't healthy, nor was it sensible but he couldn't think of another way to quiet the instinct to claim her. Ruby immediately jumped into her own theories about Rivers and why he'd sent the men over to the fort and as usual she irked him with her black and white view of things. He fell into step with their debate with ease, like a trained dancer might sweep his partner around the floor.

"Sounds like someone needs to use their listening ears. I already told you I owed Rivers because he saved my life a year ago." Grim gave her an exasperated look out of the corner of his eye. Ruby responded in kind and he had to resist rolling his eyes at her. "It's as simple as that, Little One. Even if Rivers goes back on his deal, I haven't gone back on mine." Ruby wistful desire of Fort Haven's potential infection had him drumming his fingers along the bottom of the steering wheel. "If that is as you say, then why on earth would an infected carry a vase the whole way? Maybe they found it at the fort, but if that was the case why did they want it?" He mused aloud as they continued down the highway. "If your friend is able to glean anything from it, I'm certainly interested to know."

The old familiar road to the cabin appeared and Grim turned the truck down it, his headlights once more sending bright beams of light through the pines and birch around them. The cabin looked no different from the day before and after the two of them hopped out of the truck they went about clearing the place once more. It was clear nothing had come by in the time they had been gone and Grim was grateful for that fact as he sank down into one of the chairs in the the modestly furnished living room. A dusty window to a gas burning fireplace sat across from him and he could see the gleam of Ruby's flashlight as she continued to move around the place.

He did his best not to let his eyes slide over to the glass doors of the second floor balcony, knowing the memories of Ruby's body and words would drive him insane. It was best not to think of something that he couldn't have. The events of the day caught up with him as he tilted his head back, and his hands stung with every flex and movement. it was a shame there wasn't any more of the whiskey left, for he dearly would have loved half a bottle right now. Something to drown the dull ache of not being able to touch her.

When Ruby returned to the living room he threw her a question that had been bothering him since the first mention of Grant Rivers between the two of them.

"Red, what did Rivers do to you? Every time you speak about him, it seems to come from a place of experience."
 
She'd have punched him in the arm if she wasn't so irate over the fact Grim began his speech to her like he might to a child, but instead Ruby settled for a less controversial eyeroll. "I know that," she countered, "But whatever happened when he saved your life must have been pretty brutal for you to feel in debt to him for this long. Any sane person would have dropped their word years ago when they realised who the fuck had actually saved them." However, her clear contempt for the topic simmered down when he began to muse on the connection of the vase to all of this and for once, Ruby didn't attempt to wade in with answers, or theories because neither of them could know, not really. Tim was the only person who stood a chance of understanding and that's exactly why she had been so desperate to get the thing back to him.

The cabin wasn't far away from Fort Strand and a contemplative quiet seemed to envelope the two the nearer to it they became, and as the trees shrouded them into what had happened here the last time they had passed through. Their sweep of the place was effective and quick, simply because there were no tell tale signs of any other lives having discovered the place in their absence. So, when they finally gave each other the all clear, there was nothing much left for them to do except settle into the harsh reality that neither of them would speak about. Well, either that or keep looking around at things already seen last time to avoid the awkward silence, which is exactly what Ruby continued to do, scouring cupboards and drawers with her flashlight.

Only when everything came up empty and she finally had no choice but to relent to her exhaustion did she flop down onto the couch, clicking her light on and off, then on and off again, only pausing when Grim asked her the question that she had been dreading since the first moment Grant had become a touchy subject between them. A whole host of memories flooded her as she considered what to say, along with shame, embarrassment and anger. So much anger. A silence followed, one that was filled with the feelings in head head. "Nothing," she eventually managed to utter, "It doesn't matter," before Ruby abruptly pulled to her feet once more so that she could head into the bedroom, without much thought or purpose. She had intended to shut the door and lock Grim out to save him from asking anything else, but one look at the bed and she turned on her heel and came skulking back into the living area.

"I said I'd take the couch," she said quietly, emotionlessly as she gestured towards the bedroom with her arm, a suggestion that Grim should head in that direction. It was clear she'd gone into some kind of shut down, in the way that she avoided his gaze, in the way that she stared at the floor. "I'll see you in the morning."
 
Ruby sank down on the sofa next to him, flicking the light off and on like she needed something to do with her hands and when he asked the question her fingers paused leaving them in soft shadows as the day once more slipped away from them. When Ruby didn't immediately answer him or make a move to change the conversation he knew in his heart that whatever had happened between the two of them had left scars that went deeper than skin. The red heads answers were short and succinct, leaving him no room to press the matter further. His brow lifted as she rose from the sofa and made haste towards the room that he'd had her in. Towards the room where she'd seen a side of him that only she seemed capable of unleashing.

He was in the act of fluffing one of the pillows on the couch to place under his head when Ruby returned to him, tail between her legs. There was something dull in the way she spoke to him and when he caught sight of her eyes, slightly glassed over he knew instantly that the combination of his question and the memories of their intimacy were weighing heavily on her, and that just wouldn't do. There was absolutely no way that Grim would leave her alone knowing he'd caused the woman who stunned him with her light and kindness to shut down. He rose from the sofa, and when Ruby made a move to take up the space that he'd once sat on he stepped in front of her, his large body crowding her away from the couch. There was a moment where he seemed to question what he was doing, his large hand rubbing over the top of his head and through the thick strands of blonde he'd gathered at the back of his head. His brain screamed at him to not touch her, but he couldn't seem to stop the instinctive action of tilting her chin up so he met her eye.

His amber eyes were alight with concern, and there was a gentle tilt of his head as he seemed to be searching for something in her gaze, his eyes darting back and forth between hers. He didn't have all the right words or the right actions, but he knew he had to try and ease a bit of whatever was lingering in her mind.

"Get out of your head Princess." He tapped her square between the brows, he forced a smile to the corners of his lips, wishing he could do more than speak to her. He'd thought of offering to help her shut her brain off but it was clear from the look she'd given him that even if her body was willing, her mind wasn't- and if he couldn't have all of her then he wouldn't take any of her. "You don't have to tell me about what that bastard did, or even speak to me about the way I rocked your world, or the regret that was clear all over your pretty face in the morning. What's important right now is resting, and trust me Red, you need it." He was certain he sported the same dark circles under his eyes. The urge to brush a soft finger over those shadows was strong and he fought it by fisting his hands hard enough to hurt by his sides. "Don't think about what happened or what was, focus on right now." He side stepped her, and then like a sheepdog he herded her gently back until her calves hit the plush sofa.

"Right now, I know you need to rest." He told her. "We will face tomorrow's problems when they come." He stepped back once, then twice before finally turning and dissapearing down the hall and into the bedroom. A deep breath filled his lungs and Grim took a steadying breath before approaching the rumpled sheets. With a strong arm he pulled the duvet off the mattress and slipped one of the pillows under his arm. Returning once more to Ruby, he swatted away her attempts to take the item in favour for tucking her in himself. His heart did a funny little flip as he placed the pillow on one end of the couch and fluffed it before gesturing that she lay down.

"Ruby." His tone was stern when she didn't immediately comply, if she did decide to he would place the blanket over her next. For now the sheet hung from his hands as he regarded her.
 
Ruby stepped forwards at the same time that Grim stepped into her path, forcing her to look up at him. There was an air of vulnerability about her as their eyes met, one that rarely surfaced, one that she wanted to hide but found that she couldn't when he was looking down at her like he was. Nobody really saw her like he did and that single thought stopped her from moving out of his way, her chest fluttering slightly at the concern he was showing her. If he carried on like that, Ruby knew that she wouldn't be able to contain herself, not when her resolve was already slipping and she was becoming dangerously close to doing something that really wasn't sensible. But she was so desperate to forget, to feel comforted that in that moment any kind of barrier had slipped unknowingly away from her.

Their eyes studied each other for a long while, waiting for the other to make a move and when Grim finally spoke and tapped her forehead, the redhead let out a breath, the corners of her own lips pulling into the smallest smirk of amusement. Though the expression was very much short-lived when her companion continued and finally voiced what he thought that she felt about the night they had spent together. For a moment, Ruby blinked, somewhat confused because she had believed that he regretted it; wasn't that why he had been so angry with her the morning after? Yet as her mind now scrambled back to that moment, the redhead saw it in a slightly different light - had he simply been reacting to her feigned nonchalance? Did Grim... feel differently? Did he feel?

Her mind was so full of these possibilities that she didn't have a time to react as he herded her towards the couch, her thoughts now so much busier, which she was sure hadn't been his intention. She couldn't help it though, so much so that even when he disappeared back into the bedroom she remained. Her gaze was distant, slightly dazed until Grim returned and she robotically attempted to take the sheets from him, only looking up once more when he pulled away. Their eyes met for a second time and Ruby could see the order there and with a gentle eyeroll (because she couldn't go on without even the tiniest bit if an attitude), she finally dipped down onto the couch and allowed herself, just this once, to be cared for.

When Grim leaned over her, Ruby watched him quietly, letting his words sink in, trying her best to follow his advice. He was right of course, they both desperately needed the rest, they were wounded, exhausted, mentally drained and yet... before he could pull away from her, Ruby caught his wrist, her brow creasing slightly as she seemed to battle with something internally that only she could see. Her fingers danced from where she could feel his pulse and then finally to his palm where they stroked, almost holding his hand but not quite. When her eyes met his for a third time, his expression seemed to solidify something in her mind.

"Thank you. For looking out for me." And then she finally let him go with another soft sigh, slipping further down onto the couch so her head was on her pillow. Only when Grim moved away from her did she speak again into the silence, the words she needed him to know before they parted ways.

"I didn't regret it, you know," she uttered quietly, yet with conviction. "Any of it."
 
The light flutter of the sheets was accompanied by his gentle steps as Grim approached the sofa with the sheet, draping it gently over Ruby. Even if she did roll her eyes at him like the amusing brat she was, he couldn't find it in himself to care or comment on how she needed to poke and prod him every step of the way. For now he would rejoice in knowing he'd done a little bit to ease her mind and she let him take care of her. He didn't realize tucking someone in could be such an intimate act, but as he made a move to step away and give her privacy; Ruby's hand snuck out capturing his wrist in a soft hold.

Grim's mouth hung open slightly, as he waited with baited breath for Ruby to speak whatever it was that she needed to say. His heart turned to absolute mush with her thanks and he had to clear his throat as her fingers danced over the lines of his palm. She traced the strong groove of his lifeline and he had to suppress a full body shudder.

"Anything for you Ruby." His voice was gruff with something, though it couldn't possibly be emotion; he certainly was far too manly for that. He shifted away from her, navigating past the couch and towards the hall when her voice stopped him once more. Her sentiments were like a rush a warm water moving though his entire being, without even realizing what he was doing he twisted, looking over his shoulder to her snuggled up from on the couch. Ruby wasn't the sort to speak those kinds of words without meaning them and truly he didn't even know what to do with that revealing bit of information. On one hand he wanted to turn and scoop her up in his arms so that they might find rest in each others arms, but he knew there would be no rest once he got his hands on her. So instead he flashed her a grin, one that promised so much more.

"Sleep well Red." He almost didn't recognize the playful tone coming from his mouth, but Grim rolled with it, his gaze lingering and then traveling down her resting from. It was almost like he had x-ray vision with the intensity of his stare over her. Finally he turned, moving towards the bedroom and it's accompanying bath. After redressing his wounds and stripping down to his underwear he slid onto the bed and draped the remaining sheet over his body, his hands behind his head as he stared up at the darkening ceiling. Whatever tomorrow brought them, he could handle it. The feeling of knowing Ruby had enjoyed their time together had him feeling like he could fight a bear.

With a small smile he drifted off, letting his dreams be filled with Ruby, a pleasant change from the usual screams. The following morning, Grim was up with the rising of the sun, entirely to chipper for a man surviving the apocalypse. He had the sudden insane urge to try and whistle an old tune and after his lips formed an O he was delighted to learn he hadn't forgotten the trick of it. A slightly messed up rendition of Walking on Sunshine erupted from his heart as he meandered down to his truck for a change of clothes and for some breakfast for the two of them. Breakfast sadly would have to be a couple granola bars and an old slightly questionable looking can of preserved fruit, beggars couldn't be choosers. He put on a different pair of pants, this, this one sadly with less pockets but still useful nevertheless and an old metal band tee with it's gothic lettering. As he was making his way back up into the cabin an idea occurred to him and he could all but see the space around him light up as he formulated his plan.

Without a second thought he marched up the stairs to the living room where Ruby lay. He kept up the annoying whistling tune as he entered and tossed his keys onto the sheets, near where her feet were.

"Wake up Little Red. We've got important things to do today. It's about time you learn how to drive."
 
She could hear the smile in his voice and Ruby couldn't help but smile herself as she pulled the covers right over her head to try and hide it from him, and to avoid seeing him look at her like that. Like he was hungry for more, like he was imagining all of the things he knew he could do to get her to unravel, of which Ruby had no doubt he would, over and over again until he was satisfied. But as well as the simmering lust that was still sizzling undampened between them, there was something more too their exchange tonight as well. Something softer, something perhaps slightly more meaningful, and despite the fear that still struck into her heart, Ruby inadvertently shifted a little closer to embracing it, to allowing herself to feel something other than anger, pain and sadness.

For a long while after she knew that Grim had returned to the bed Ruby remained staring up at the ceiling as he did, contemplating whether she should pull the covers back and go and slip in beside him. Even if it was just to be closer, even if they didn't act on this feeling between them, she drew comfort from the thought of nestling up against those broad shoulders and pressing her cheek against the warmth of his inked skin. In fact, so vivid was the thought of this sensation that it was this that eventually lulled Ruby into a settled sleep, one that she did not wake from, until the morning and someone once again, began to rudely force her from unconsciousness.

It was easily said, that Ruby was absolutely not a morning person. Not even the natural sunshine could rouse her, and so when Grim's voice cut through her dreams and something hit at the bottom of her legs, she jerked upwards, hair a ruffled mess, eyes bleary before she realised where she was and with a groan, disappeared back under the cover again. "What's got you so fucking chipper this morning?" She grumbled, as if his whistling was offending her greatly. "Just one more hour, please." A small silence followed her theatrics, one in which understanding seemed to settle, alongside realisation and then... excitement.

Flinging the cover off of herself, olive green found amber as small hands tried to sort out her red morning hair. "Wait a second. Did you just say learn how to drive?" Then she moved to sit on the edge of the couch. "As in... you're going to teach me how to drive?" Then, she stood, her whole body practically vibrating. "As in, you're going to let me drive your truck?" Her eyes were shining in an almost childlike manner before they narrowed suspiciously. "Hang on a second, what's in this for you, other than a burnt out clutch? Or..." Ruby continued, reaching out to poke Grim in the stomach. "Is all this driving finally taking it's toll on you, old man? You need a young whippersnapper to take the reins for a bit? Not a problem. Just give me a second to change and let's get going."

She was out of the door with the car keys in hand before he could respond, a stark contrast to her feeble display of waking up, and rifling through her pack that sat in the truck in the next instance to retrieve a clean(ish) white t-shirt, her toothbrush and hairbrush before she began her search for the granola bars that she knew were around the place somewhere, not realising of course, that grim had previously retrieved them. "Hey, grandad! Did you eat breakfast already?"
 
Ruby's get up and go wasn't quite ready to be matched up with Grim's or at least that's what he'd thought as she roused from her sleep. She had an impressive cow lick at the back of her head as she rustled to find a comfortable spot once more, all bleary eyed much to his delight. She was pulling the covers over her head and and begging him for a while more when he saw her body freeze, hands curling tightly around the edges of the blanket as she pieced together the full meaning of his offer. He couldn't stop the bark of laughter as the cover flew off Ruby and she was on her feet in the blink of an eye. She spoke so rapidly he had to focus on keeping up with her ramblings as she approached him, perhaps that was why she was able to prod him in the belly as she accused of hawking off his driving duties to her because of his age. Her excitement and pure joy, alongside with the breakfast he held was enough of a distraction that he missed the opportunity to hold onto her wrist and set her straight on his reasonings why.

Instead, Ruby rushed off leaving him in the dust as she hurried towards the truck eager to start the day and her learning. Grim stayed where he was marveling that someone that had been so grumpy a few moments earlier could flip a switch and be the bright beam of sunlight that she was. A huff of air left his chest and he couldn't stop the small shake of his head as he wandered off after her. He walked out in the steadily warming morning air and grinned as Ruby seemed to flit around like a hummingbird as she got herself ready. She called over her shoulder asking for the breakfast he was still holding onto.

"Right here." He tossed one then two of the bars up in the air for her to catch and got to work on using a knife to open the canned fruit. "Jesus, if you can't even see that I'm holding it how can I trust you not to drive us into a ditch." He teased, prying open the can and digging in to find a thick slice of a preserved peach. He groaned a little at the first bite and held out the can for Ruby to take her own slice. "No need to ask if you're ready to learn, I can see that clear enough." He chuckled, and got down to explaining some of the more basic things, what to keep in mind when driving and how to adjust her mirrors and by the time they were finished their breakfast he walked around to the passenger side of the truck and pulled himself in. He was musing at all the legroom and space he had as Ruby climbed into the drivers side.

"Keep the clutch down and the break and turn the key when you're ready. You'll likely stall it out a few times but this machine is pretty hardy, she'll withstand." He patted the dash fondly and adjusted the little squirrel stuffy back to it's rightful place. He shot her an encouraging smile and focused on coaching her through the ins and out of driving. Had he known she was so eager to learn he would have offered to teach her far sooner.
 
If there was one thing that Ruby was enthusiastic about, it was learning new things. She was very aware that she had missed out on a lot living in the world as it was, with school and education institutions a thing of the past. However, what she lacked in academic skills she more than made up for in physical expertise and logical planning, problem solving and fast thinking because if she didn't have those she'd have been dead a long time ago; she wasn't the best at reading or writing but she took a mean critical shot.

When the granola bars were tossed her way, Ruby caught one and dropped the second, before bending down to retrieve it with a huff. She cracked them both open and handed Grim one of them, taking a bite of her own and munching thoughtfully, until he held out the can of peaches to her and she slipped in her fingers to retrieve one from the juice. The texture was soft and tangy on her tongue and she let it melt there for a while, absolutely showing no qualms about speaking around a mouthful in order to make sure she was heard. "You can't." Then she shrugged as though this wasn't a big deal. "So you'd best keep an eye out for any upcoming ditches."

Between them, they settled down briefly while Grim showed Ruby the basic mechanics of the car, taking it in turns to slurp on the fruit. For once, the redhead listened intently without any smart comebacks, without poking fun at her teacher; she took it all in, absorbing every single word because if she was honest... she wanted to be good at this. For herself, and perhaps a little bit to impress Grim too. His truck was his baby, after all.

Once they were finished and properly fed and watered, when he returned to the passenger side, Ruby ran her fingers over the wheel and the gearstick, trying to memorise what he had told her. Her seat and mirrors were already adjusted but she was a little nervous about manoeuvring through the throng of trees and it was for this reason that even as Grim instructed her, Ruby fucked it by immediately letting her foot off the clutch as soon as she twisted the key. The truck coughed and spluttered forwards before the engine died again, leaving her to utter curses under her breath, cheeks flushing a little. "Fuck, shit. Sorry. Clutch and brake down. Got it. You got this." Her second try was thankfully much more successful and with Grim's help, and two more stalls for good measure, they finally found themselves edging slowly forwards.

"Hey, look! I'm moving! We're moving!" Ruby let out a delighted chortle, looking over to her teacher with a grin but quickly swerving them when she returned her focus to notice there was an incoming tree in their current trajectory. "Whoops. Okay. Keep an eye on the road." Then after a pause she added, "You know, thinking about it, starting me off in a forest probably wasn't your best idea, grandad. Wouldn't a straight road have been more sensible? Or did you think I'd be good at this or something?" Giving her eyebrows a little waggle, Ruby glanced down at the gearstick next, already itching to go faster.

"Alright so, clutch down and shift, right?"
 
The sound of the engine turning over and coughing to a stop was like nails on a blackboard for Grim and he winced a little as Ruby shot him a guilty look. He had a sudden flashback of the first time he'd learned how to drive. His father sitting in the passenger seat a goofy grin on his face as he made a big show of putting on a bike helmet for extra protection and Grim's glare of death sent his way. He'd certainly stalled the car out multiple times, and each time his father had gently coached him through the correct process. Channeling the silly man who couldn't name a kid or a pet for shit Grim nodded as Ruby clarified what she was supposed to do. This time the engine caught and rumbled to life before coming to a lurching halt only a few seconds later.

Perhaps he didn't have the same encouraging smile his father might have, but Grim's serious face didn't hold any anger as she tried once more and they went a little further before stalling. He twisted in his seat, his amber eyes trained on Ruby's form as she tried once more and he talked her through it. In the next minute the truck began to roll forward and Grim couldn't help as he sat up straighter everything in his body seemed primed to lift his hands and clap excitedly for her but he forced himself to stay focused on what she was doing and what lay ahead of them. The car jerked a little as she adjusted the trajectory, avoiding the tree that had been slowly creeping up on them.

"You think I'd take it easy on you Red? Not fucking likely." He grumbled in response to her reasonable ask on why he hadn't started by teaching her on the much clearer and likely easier to navigate highway. There was no way he'd tell her that he'd been to excited to see her drive and hadn't thought that far ahead. He could tell that Ruby was gearing to go a bit faster and when her hand landed on the shifter he placed his own heavily inked palm over hers. "Easy now, clutch in, rev up a little..." He glanced over to the dash and once it was the right time he moved the gear shift with her, pressing them into second gear as the truck began to move faster. Once more he coached her into third and left them there as Ruby slowly navigated them out of the wooded area and towards the road.

When they were back on the highway, Grim watched with a pleased expression as Ruby twisted the truck so they were heading the right way and he lifted his hand from the gear shift. "All you now Princess. Let her fly." He couldn't help but reaching to the centre console when the controls for the windows were and pushed down both of the front windows as Ruby picked up speed. He wanted to see the wind flying through her hair as the moved. Something about that image seemed so incredibly freeing and he wished he had a camera to capture the bright smile she wore on her face as they raced down the highway.

"Seems like you're a natural Ruby." Grim leaned back in his seat, letting his eyes glance forward towards the slightly cluttered open road ahead of them. He let his mind conjure up a small fantasy of Ruby deciding that she wasn't ready to return and stealing them away to somewhere new and exciting. The open road and what lay beyond the horizon didn't seem so lonely with Ruby at the helm. A small smile curved the corners of his lips and as the wind whipped through the cab he glanced once more her way, enjoying the way her fiery red hair licked around her face.
 
Driving was not something that Ruby believed she'd ever be able to do. Like Grim, in those few moments where she was puttering along, her mind cast back to being in the car with her mother again, how she'd seen driving as such a grown up thing, a special thing, something she looked at in awe because of the magical qualities of her childhood memory. In fact, the wave washed over her so all at once that she found herself blinking away a fresh sting of tears, only momentarily but the emotion was there until Grim grumbled in response to her and that was just the noise she needed to ground herself again with a dramatic roll of her eyes.

The move into second was a little jerky, but thankfully things got easier as she moved into third and with Grim's guidance she successfully manoeuvred them through the trees and back out onto the stretch of road. Sitting up a little straighter in her seat, Ruby glanced at Grim as he lifted his hand and instructed her to let her fly, which with a final glance at him as though she was looking for reassurance, she began to press her foot down on the accelerator, her hands gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly, to the point that her knuckles were white. That wasn't to say however, that she wasn't enjoying herself, and as Grim wound the windows down, Ruby let out a squeal of delight, followed by various whoops of joy at the freedom that came with being in charge of a vehicle.

The redhead sped them down the highway with what could only be described as reckless abandon, until Grim spoke up once more and she looked over at him as flames of red swatted around her features, her olive greens alive with excitement, cheeks flushed from the adrenaline. "Yeah, that or I had a really good teacher," she yelled over the noise, eventually twisting to flick up the window just a little, mainly because she wanted him to hear what she had to say next. "Thank you, Grim," she spoke freely, almost as though she was unburdened in that moment. "For teaching me. I never thought I'd ever get to do something like this. I really--"

Before she could go on to say anymore however, the redhead looked back out of the window, her eyes widening at the sight that was very quickly rushing up ahead of them. "Fuck!" Her feet were a tangle as she scrambled for which pedal was the brake and in her panic, Ruby swerved them off the road to avoid a collision that could send them tumbling. When she eventually found both the clutch and the brake, she slammed them both down, causing the truck to squeal and momentarily skid up a dust cloud that engulfed them through the window. In the end though, in a coughing, spluttering mess and with the smell of burning filling the air, they came to a stop unharmed. Panting, breathless, but unharmed.

"Shit, sorry, I... What were those things?" Despite her trembling though, Ruby was opening the door and out of the truck within moments, wafting a hand in her face to clear the dust and moving forwards, curiously, tentatively. When the hulks came into view again was when she realised them for what they were.

Corpses. Carcases of the herd they had seen only a day or two earlier. "They're... they're dead," she whispered, her footsteps slowing. "They're dead. All of them."
 
He couldn't seem to take his eyes off of her, the could have been meters away from the edge of a cliff and Grim wouldn't have blinked an eye as Ruby sailed them over the edge. She seemed so alive and that in turn made his own heart thump wildly in his chest, bringing a rush of adrenaline as they tore down the road. His sandy blonde hair whipped around him, tangling in his bear and then ripping away as another strong gust of wind blew through the open windows. Ruby reached, pressing the button for the windows bringing them up a little so she might speak to him a bit easier. She sounded breathless as she thanked him and he felt the warmth of her appreciation bask over him like a sun beam. He'd been so busy taking her in he hadn't noticed what had suddenly taken all of Ruby's attention.

By the time he twisted his head to see it was too late, and Ruby scrambled for the break, twisting the wheel towards the side of the road. He caught a glimpse of a large black mass before the truck came to a jostling dusty stop. His hand came forward, pressing against the dash as he braced himself, the tires squealing from the effort it took to stop them. He could smell the burning brake pads, in the past he might have blown up at driver for ruining his truck, but in this moment all that he could think about was making sure that Ruby was safe. He heard her apology and made a motion to reach for her and see if she was alright, but Ruby was already climbing out of the truck.

"Wait!" Grim scrambled to follow her, pushing open his own and stepping after her into the clearing dust. He came up short behind Ruby, his gaze landing on the mass of black he'd spotted earlier, his breath caught in his throat as he and Ruby both realized what it was they were looking at. The herd of bison, that had been alive and well days earlier lay littered over the road and surrounding area. It was clear the herd had stampeded in their efforts to escape whatever it was that had attacked. The ground was torn apart by hooves and drenched in blood, the stench of decay was once more potent in the air.

"Jesus..." Grim muttered, instinctively he reached for Ruby; pressing a hand to her shoulder as she spoke. "Don't get to too close." He muttered half out of habit and half to feel like he had some control over what was happening. It was just like Ruby said, every single bison, even the small ones they'd seen nuzzling for their mothers lay at their feet. Grim's grip on Ruby's shoulders tightened as he caught motion in the distance. His gaze zeroed in on it and he watched as a great lumbering giant rose over a carcass, it's jaw unhinging as it let out a mighty bellow. It's fur was rotted and torn but even from this distance Grim understood that he was looking at a bear.

The both of them reacted quickly, sinking low to the ground, using the bodies around them as cover as they crawled back towards the truck. He could he the rattle of the bears lungs as it took a deep heaving breath in. Grim ensured Ruby reached the truck first and he quickly pulled open the door and the two of them clamoured into the truck and with a quick turn of the key made sure the windows were drawn up. Their breaths huffed out while their wide eyes trained on the giant bear that had remained standing on his hind legs, great snout lifted to the air.

"I think it's infected..." Grim whispered. "Jesus fuck that's bad... the herd..." He trailed off, his eyes somber with the truth of it all. Something about it made his jaw set, and he looked to Ruby, something determined glinting in his eyes. "This is too close to your camp, we can't let it go free."
 
Ruby couldn't take her eyes off of them. The bison who had not but a few days ago been alive, flourishing if anything, with the young nestling into their mothers, now laid out and half eaten before them. The smell of rotting flesh was thick in the air and as far as she could see, the ground littered with the remains of the animals. Horror distorted itself onto the redhead's features as she covered her mouth and nose to stop the wave of nausea that washed through her. Ruby had seen some unfortunate sights but this... this seemed worse, brutal, unforgiving... different. Perhaps it was because of the moment they had shared with the herd, or perhaps it was a simple reminder of the fragility of life but either way, Ruby felt deeply, deeply affected by this turn of events and grateful for Grim's large hand, warm and grounding on her shoulder.

Before she could say anymore however, it was the deep, bellowing rattle of a roar that stole her attention, eyes widening as they too zoned in on the creature who was responsible. The two dropped to the ground before it was even a conscious decision to do so and in that moment, Ruby was incredibly glad that Grim was able to think for them, to start manoeuvring their way back to the truck because had she been on her own she'd have most likely frozen in her terror. The sight of the creature that had to be responsible for this imprinted itself on her mind; even from their distance away she could make out its swinging, rotted jaw, the matted holes of fur and degraded flesh, the dead, yellow cloudiness of its eyes. Ruby had never seen a bear in real life before, but she had seen pictures and knew enough to know that wasn't what they were supposed to look like. Grim was right. It was infected.

This new information whirled in her mind as they made it safely back into the truck but upon sitting, Ruby immediately twisted to keep her eyes focussed on the creature, should it begin to move. Only did she look away when Grim insinuated that they couldn't just get the hell out of here, not when it meant this could very well catch up with them and the rest of Ruby's home if they let it go free. For a moment, she studied his profile, considering why in the hell he cared about her camp anyway, but even she knew better than to question that now as a simmering flame of anger and retribution smouldered beneath the depths of her gaze. After several moments, the redhead slowly nodded.

"We could track it," she suggested, her voice low. "Use the bodies to mask our scent and hope it leads us to somewhere we can corner it. We'll need every weapon we've got... I-I don't know what it's going to take to bring something that... big down. We don't know if it can see, but I guess we know it can smell by the way it's sniffing the air like that." She gestured back towards the creature that had now dropped to its four paws and seem to be snuffling at something in the ground. "Or we could just drive at it. Let the truck do the work. Bears aren't particularly agile, right?"
 
Grim could all but feel the ground quake as the bear's front legs hit the ground and it sniffed at the flank of a bison before sinking its teeth into the dead and began to flail its head back and forth in an effort to tear flesh from bone. As his gaze shifted to look at his partner, Grim couldn't help but notice the flare of something behind Ruby's eyes; anger perhaps? She suggested cornering the creature and he nodded along with her, liking the idea; however he didn't find the same enthusiasm for her second plan of using the truck as a battering ram.

"What do I look like a zoologist?" Grim's eyes narrowed at her. "Nevermind, don't answer that. Bears are built like fucking tanks, so I think we'd better spare the truck... unless you want to walk home." Okay, maybe it was a little uncalled for to be as snippy as he was but he was about to fight an infected bear and Ruby just suggested they use his baby as cannon fodder- he felt he had a right to it. "Let's go with the really big explosion shall we?" Grim held up a hand and began to list of the items that might prove useful in their mission. "We've got a few grenades, our rifles and I have a few explosive rounds for the shotgun." His gaze shifted once more as the bear let out another loud rumble before twisting and lumbering towards the treeline. Silence fell over them as they watched with baited breath as the creature moved further and further away from the carnage and in the direction of the trees and beyond them was Ruby's encampment.

Grim's mind conjured up the images of Ruby and the others waking in the night to find their wall torn apart, the great lumbering beast the culprit. There wasn't even a question in his mind of avoiding the fight, not when Ruby's safety was at stake. Grim would protect what was his.

"The grenades and ammo in the the top part of the camper, I'll grab those if you grab the guns?" He asked, already slipping his hand towards the handle of the car. If they were going to track this thing and corner it they needed to move before they lost sight of the bear. He was back on the ground in a matter of seconds, hoisting himself up to the upper storage and small sleeping space that his bed attachment held. His pack was filled with the items as well as a few more knives and a mason jar filled with nails. He'd intended to use them on the road to pop tires but perhaps this mixed with a grenade would be a deadly and sharp combination. His feet hit the ground as Ruby came about the side of the car holding the weapons he'd asked for. Grim took the shotgun, his gazed focused on Ruby as a plan formulated.

"We stay this far back at all times." He kept his voice down, keeping one eye trained on the bear, it was just about to reach the tree line and he should be hurrying to keep he sights on it but he needed Ruby to be on the same page. "Masks up always as well, and as we go I'll notch trees with directional arrows back to the truck." He hoisted the strap of the gun over his shoulder and took a step towards Ruby, he had to bend his head as he towered over her. He reached out and circled her wrist with his strong hand and held up her palm for him to drop the truck keys in. "If anything goes wrong I want you to run back here, take the truck and warn the others. Don't let Riley fucking touch the truck or the keys or else I'll haunt you for the rest of your life." He threatened, trying to find the humour in things despite how quickly his heart was pounding in his chest. "If we can corner it, I've got a makeshift bomb we can make with nails and the grenades. I think that's our best bet. Got it?" He curled her hand over the keys for her before giving her a slightly unhinged smile and pulling up the dark fabric of his neckerchief.

"Let's go fight a fucking bear."
 
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